Día de los Muertos comes to life in Billings

BILLINGS — Over the weekend, Billings hosted a series of lively events celebrating Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, amid growing enthusiasm for the holiday.

As Halloween fades after October 31, you may have noticed colorful skulls and vibrant altars popping up around Billings. It was all part of Día de los Muertos, a beloved holiday in Mexican culture celebrated on November 1 and 2. This festive occasion is dedicated to honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed away, combining joy and sadness in a unique way.

muertos1_3.1.1.jpg — Ofrendas are decorated with photos of loved ones and food to invite their spirits.

At MetraPark on Saturday, Day of the Dead Billings hosted their third annual celebration. The group is run by Mary Hernandez and sponsored by the Billings Community Foundation. Various holiday elements, such as music, skulls and colorful flowers, were on display throughout the day.

“It’s all about celebrating the lives of those we’ve lost over the years,” Hernandez said. “This is a beautiful holiday in which we remember our deceased.”

Ofrendas, or alters, are an important part of the celebration. They are decorated with photos and memorabilia of deceased loved ones. Offerings are left to invite their spirits back.

“It’s very important to share their favorite food with them, to invite them to come back. The flames help light the way when the spirits come. There is water or you can put a little shot of tequila on the altar if you want, that will quench their thirst,” Hernandez said.

The public was invited to leave photos at the public ofrenda, make crafts, decorate a pop-up cemetery and leave messages to the spirits on pieces of paper that were later burned at sunset.

One of the many activities included face painting to resemble calaveras or sugar skulls. Heather Estus has been painting faces for over 30 years and enjoys sharing her culture with others through art.

“Honoring our elders and doing skull candy face painting is one way we do that. Skull candies are actually part of the ofrendas,” Estus said. ‘People can relate to art very easily, and who doesn’t like having their face painted? I find it funny that there are a lot of adults who are also waiting in line to have their faces painted.”

MUERTOS9_5.15.1.jpg — Heather Estus spent the day painting multiple skulls on faces.

The Raza Unida Club also held their own party at the Boys and Girls Club. Founded last year by teacher Alyssia Nava, the club is for Latino and Hispanic students in Billings to learn and educate others about their culture. They held their first Día de los Muertos event to raise awareness of the holiday in Billings and create a place where those who celebrate it every year can do so with others.

“Today is the second day, and it is to honor your loved ones and family members who have passed away, so we have an ofrenda around us where their loved ones can honor them,” said club member Bianca Morales.

“Today is for culture,” Nava added. “Why I celebrate the Day of the Dead is that they are not forgotten. The great thing about our culture is that our ancestors can be easily forgotten, and it is important that we pass this on. memories, pass on photos and teach our children and other family members about our loved ones who are no longer here.”

muertos5_5.5.1.jpg — The Mariachi band, Mariachis de Corazon, performed at the Raza Unida Dia de los Muertos event on Saturday.

Now that there are two major events celebrating the holiday, interest in the holiday has noticeably increased. Hernandez said she attributes the increase in visibility to the popularity of the 2017 Disney film “Coco,” which not only educated others in a fun way, but also a growing Latino population.

“More people who have more experience or their history are exploring and learning about this special celebration,” said Hernandez.

Día de los Muertos represents a cultural shift from some societal norms in the United States, where discussions about death can often feel taboo. However, this holiday opens the door for conversations about loss in a way that honors those who have passed away.

“We say to everyone, ‘It’s not a sad day.’ It is definitely a happy day. We are here with all our loved ones, friends, and it’s just a celebration,” Nava said.

MUERTOS8_5.12.1.jpg — Making paper flowers was one of the many activities offered at the Metra.

The memories of those we have lost are universal and remind us that death and loss are a shared human experience. By embracing this celebration through diverse cultural lenses, we help foster a sense of connection and understanding.

“People are not meant to live alone, but to be part of a community. So sharing your culture and sharing what you do in your culture, whether it’s food, music or art, is a great way to help people understand and learn about the differences and the differences. values of other people,” says Estus. “Being able to share it with people just feels good, because again, I share that tradition, but I also do it myself, so I don’t do it alone.”

Whether it’s your first time participating or an annual tradition, organizers emphasize that everyone is welcome to join in the festivities.

“Everyone is invited. This is a celebration para todos, for everyone, because we all experience loss. And it is very important for us to remember those we love and love and their lives,” said Hernandez.