While Halloween is just around the corner and many are getting the finishing touches of their costumes done, members of the Latin American community are preparing for "Dia de los Muertos," or "Day of the Dead."

The Mexican holiday is celebrated for two days starting on November 1. However, it will be observed by SF State's La Raza organization on Nov. 2, 2004 at Malcom X Plaza with a program lasting throughout the day and into the night.

“It’s one time where you don’t have to be scared of death,” said Robert Vicario, 23.

The broadcasting junior, whose mother is Filipino and father is Mexican, emphasizes that the holiday is a positive celebration.

A special altar will be set up in Malcom X Plaza during the day and a mock cemetary will be created on the grass lawn. An indigenous cleansing ritual will be performed followed by a theater presentation and spoken word performance.

A candlelight vigil will be held at night and attendees will walk to the top of the student center to salute the winds of the north, south, east and west. They will gather around the Tree of Life, which La Raza members planted in front of the Business building in remembrance of a coordinator that died in the 1980s. The night will end with the lighting of the mock cemetery crosses.

Day of the Dead is celebrated widely throughout Latin America and especially in Mexico. Traditionally, the first day is in dedication to those who died as children and the second day is for those who died as adults. The tradition dates back to ancient Mexican civilizations such as the Aztec Indians who saw death as a blessing.

Years later, the tradition can still seen today in San Francisco's Mission District where there are many things that let us know Day of the Dead is here. Brightly colored piñatas and intricately cut tissue paper called “papel picado” line store windows and adorn homes. The sweet smell of Pan De Muerto, or "Bread of the Dead," permeates through the air by Mexican bakeries.

One prominent Day of the Dead symbol is the skull, which can be seen almost everywhere the holiday is celebrated. Skeleton figurines are displayed, skull masks are worn, sugar skulls are made and faces are painted to look like skulls. Inside the La Raza office, skeleton and skull cut outs hang from the ceiling and greet you at the door.

To some SF State students, the skull has a negative connotation to it. Often it's referenced to evil, poison and death. Many people avoid talking about death, deeming the subject taboo in American society. Those who celebrate Day of the Dead on the other hand, embrace it.

"You're used to seeing skulls on pirate ships and in scary movies," said Vanessa Dimapasoc, 23. "But the skulls I see are lively and festive."

The graphic design senior doesn't celebrate Day of the Dead, but she lives on Mission Street and is familiar with the annual festivities.

While some may find eating at a cemetery disgusting and odd, Day of the Dead celebrants throw a whole party at the gravesite of a loved one. A decorative altar is set up and a party is thrown with the deceased as their guest of honor. Food is eaten and “ofrendas,” or offerings of food and gifts, are made to the dead. It is also common to find toys decorating a child's altar.

“I’ve already mourned the deaths of my friends and relatives,” said Rashad Suarez, a 23-year-old finance senior. “Now it’s time to celebrate their life.”