The Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation is now accepting entries from Lynwood Unified students for the first annual Día de los Muertos Altar Contest! Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican celebration that is a joyful remembrance in which death is recognized as a natural part of the cycle of life.

Nov. 1 and 2 (All Saint’s Day, All Soul’s Day) represent a mixture of Christian devotion with pre-Hispanic rituals and beliefs which are embodied in the traditional altar-offering.

An ofrenda (offering) is an altar to remember and honor loved ones who have passed. It consists of offerings such as favorite foods on a day when their spirit returns to relive memories.

Traditionally, ofrendas are colorful and decorative, laden with gifts to please returning spirit guests and adorned with orange marigolds, sugar skulls, candles and papel picado banners. Offerings of food are also left on the altar.

Some traditional offerings include fruit, hot chocolate, pan de muerto and a glass of water for the weary traveler.

Special items belonging to the deceased such as a hat or a guitar can also be displayed.

Your ofrenda can be a general celebration of ancestors past, celebrities or beloved pets.

In creating a traditional altar, the four elements of nature are represented:

• Earth, represented by fruits or favorite family dishes that feed the souls with rich aroma.

• Wind, represented by movement, using generally confetti or papel picado.

• Water, is placed in a container for the soul’s thirst after the long journey to reach the altar.

• Fire, a candle for each soul remembered and an extra candle is for the forgotten soul.

Salt is placed as a means of purification, copal (incense) commemorates pre-Hispanic history, and cempasúchitl (marigold flower) petals are scattered to guide the soul to the altar.

Photographs of loved ones are also placed to remember and relive.

Prizes:

Best Event Themed Altar: $50 VISA gift card

Best Traditional Altar: $50 VISA gift card

Best Contemporary Altar: $50 VISA gift card

Applications must be submitted by October 28, 2021 to participate in contest. APPLY HERE

Please read guidelines before submitting application.

Download guidelines for instructions and rules in participating in contest here.

For questions, email info@lynwoodedfoundation.org or call 310.985.9713