The Chadron State College International Club holds the first of its 6 Dine With Us lunches for the 23-24 academic year today from 11-12:30 in the Niobrara Room of the Dining Hall
Roughly once a month, members of the International Club will host a lunch focused on one country and its culture, including the food that will be served.
The members will give their individual insights about their home country on politics, climate, food, music, dance, and traditions.
Today’s Dine With Us lunch is on Mexico with a menu of street tacos and fresh pico de gallo. Among the topics student Kayla Campos will talk about is the Day of the Dead tradition, which is coming up in 3 weeks the day after Halloween.
The Day of the Dead is similar to All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which remember Christian saints and martyrs on Nov 1 and all other Christians who’ve passed on Nov 2.
The biggest difference is that while All Saints and All Souls Days are solemn, the Day of the Dead is a holiday of joyful celebration rather than mourning as family and friends gather to pay respects and to remember those who have died.
The celebrations can take a humorous tone as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.
On Oct. 24, Sophia Oladimeji and Kosiso Akwanamnye of Nigeria will present about their country.
On Nov. 28, Dr. Gabriella Pruitt Santos and Julio Santos conclude the fall semester schedule with a presentation on Guatemala.
Vernon Plenty Bull and Jennifer Schaer will start the Spring 2024 lunch series on Jan 23 with a presentation about the Great Sioux Nation and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, followed by Herve Auguste Akoko of the African county of Ivory Coast on Feb. 20.
The Dine With Us lunch series ends April 23 with a presentation from International Club President Emmanuella Tchona, who will talk about her country, Benin – also in Africa.