The DU Anthropology Museum and the Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity are showcasing “ofrendas,” or altars, in celebration of Día de los Muertos in Room 102 of Sturm Hall. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditionally Mexican holiday celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 that honors the dead through celebration, remembrance and prayer.

Day of the Dead, a holiday with Aztec and Catholic ideals, revolves around receiving the dead at home through altars that feature a variety of objects aimed at acknowledging and pleasing them. Traditional altars feature photographs of loved ones, food, sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, religious objects, toys and paper cutouts. In addition, altars contain items representing the four main elements of nature: earth, wind, water and fire.

Brooke Rohde, curator of collections for the Anthropology Museum, Sigma Lambda Beta and others have constructed and decorated two altars in the gallery. The gallery also has a table with paper and supplies that can be used by the DU community to create a message to a dead loved one that can be left on the altar.

“We want people to gain a little more knowledge about Day of the Dead and hopefully feel compelled to leave something to honor someone who has passed on,” said Rohde.

“Hopefully, the gallery will have extended hours so students with night classes and other people can come to pay their respects to the dead as well,” added Rohde. “We’re inviting the DU community to join in on a mostly Mexican tradition and leave something to remember a loved one.”

The gallery will close Nov. 18.