At the end of October each year, City College hosts a celebration of sugar, sculls and the deceased. This event however, has nothing to do with Halloween.

The annual Día de los Muertos festivities are held at the Luria Library from Oct. 27 through Nov. 2.  Son Jarocho music from Southern Mexico, traditional food, artwork, a poetry reading, and even a silent auction will be featured.

Silvia Suayfeta-Cortez, a City College student advisor and member of the Día de los Muertos event committee, shared the history behind this tradition.

“Día de los Muertos is really about honoring,” Cortez said. “It’s about moving from one world to the next world.”

While Halloween emphasizes dark and scary images, Día de los Muertos focuses more on the significance of change. Cortez invites those who have not experienced the festivities to join this year.

“It’s very different from the western view of death. The indigenous believe that it is when you die that you’re really going to celebrate and be part of a world full of riches,” Cortez said. “It was an honor, really.”

Día de Los Muertos features a combination of indigenous Mexican beliefs and Spanish Catholicism brought over during Spain’s conquer of Mexico.

“What has formed is this combination of religions celebrating this ritual,” Cortez said.

Traditionally, family members create altars honoring the lives of the deceased. Altars include the dead’s favorite foods and drinks as well as objects representing what they enjoyed during life.

“You can really honor anyone you feel needs to be honored,” said Cortez.

A few new additions have been added to the celebration this year. The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services club is hosting a silent auction that benefits many of the campus clubs. It features Día de los Muertos-themed artwork made by the students themselves. Local artists are also selling their artwork and jewelry.

A variety of vendors are selling traditional food items such as tamales, mole, corn, sugar skulls and Pan de Muertos (bread of the dead), a Mexican sweet roll customary for the celebration. In addition, students from Santa Barbara elementary schools are setting up their own altars and there is a craft area for children to design masks.

The event is funded by donations through City College and staff members themselves. It is a family-friendly event and offers activities for people of all ages.