From setting papier-mache mascots on fire to participating in “funeral games,” here are some unusual traditions students may encounter at New Mexico colleges.
We all know someone who fondly remembers their time spent in college. For some people, the traditions and memories made at college will follow them for a lifetime.
But that doesn’t always mean those traditions are, well, traditional. Some college traditions come with a long history that may not make sense at first glance—but we promise that the students have their reasons. Here is a look at some of the out-of-the-ordinary traditions that you might find on college campuses in New Mexico.
1. The burning of Pistol Pete
Every September, students at the University of New Mexico (UNM) enjoy a fiery spectacle that lasts for five full hours. Pistol Pete is a real-life New Mexican cowboy who also serves as New Mexico State University’s mascot.
Every year, UNM students construct a papier-mache version of their rival’s mascot and, for reasons I can’t truly discern, proceed to then set it on fire before the game. The tradition honors the school’s annual game against New Mexico State University Aggies, a rivalry running 132 years strong. Last year, a team of students, faculty, and even alumni all worked to construct a 25-foot papier-mache Pete for a whopping five weeks—only to light him on fire and watch him burn in only one hour.
2. A moving mariachi
We aren’t entirely sure if we would file the mariachi recessional performed at UNM’s graduation every year as “quirky,” but we would say it is downright moving.
Every year, graduating seniors are treated to a professional performance by the local Mariachi Tenampa group as they walk out of the campus and into their futures. Those who have been say it’s an experience they will never forget.
3. Festive holiday elves
What do elves, New Mexico luminaries, and midnight caroling have in common? Well, they are all part of UNM’s magical kick-off celebration to the holiday season. The event, aptly referred to as the Hanging of the Greens, involves “elves” from the Mortar Board who dress up as Christmas elves and travel around campus with Santa and Mrs. Claus singing carols.
Their crusade around campus culminates in adorning the University president’s door with a Christmas wreath, while other celebrants enjoy hot chocolate and posole at Hodgin Hall. The entire campus is also lit up with 14,000 luminarias, which are placed throughout the day on campus buildings or on student organization dwellings. At night, the luminarias glow for a beautiful festive look.
As a bonus, students are encouraged to take the luminarias the next morning if they’d like to decorate their own spaces for the holidays. This tradition dates back to the 1930s, so it’s been in place for a while!
4. Painting a mountain
Students at New Mexico State University (NMSU) carry on an even older tradition from the 1920s of painting the giant ‘A’ on the Tortugas Mountain. Back in the day, the practice involved a full bucket brigade, but today’s students have the advantage of more modern technology to assist.
The ‘A’ references the school’s origins as Las Cruces College and Agricultural Training School, formed in 1888. From the agricultural roots of the school and its educational focus, the students referred to themselves as “aggies,” a reference to agriculture. Today, the mountainside A pays homage to the students, college, and area’s history. The A is huge, standing 330 feet tall, which is about the size of an entire football field!
Historically, the ‘A’ was part of a tradition on campus: students would paint or construct a giant ‘A’ on different buildings. With only the administration building at the base of Horseshoe (the campus lawn area) left to be adorned, students finagled a way to put the ‘A’ on Tortugas Mountain. Then, from the Horseshoe, the A appeared to sit directly on top of the admin building’s dome. Genius, right?
5. A symbolic ring
Also at NMSU, students who choose to can partake in a special ring ceremony when they graduate. Participants wear a ring to the ceremony with the jewelry facing in, towards their heart. The position signifies the work has been done inwards while the student has been attending college.
Then, during the ceremony, students move their rings facing outwards, symbolizing that they are ready to face the world and take on their futures after graduation.
6. Feasting over a fire
In New Mexican history, a matanza was an annual pre-winter event that involved slaughtering and roasting an entire pig outside. The event was always a celebration, with the community coming together, special dishes prepared, music, and a general feeling of festiveness before winter.
Today, New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) continues that time-honored New Mexican tradition right on campus by hosting a campus-wide matanza every year. The event is usually held off campus at a nearby park, and the entire community is invited, making it truly a celebration for all. The matanza includes traditional food from northern New Mexico, mariachi music from the college’s music department, and a bake-off for the best biscochito (the state cookie of New Mexico).
7. Funeral games
St. John’s College, with a location in Santa Fe, New Mexico, may take the prize for the most traditions of any college we have ever seen. Their tradition list is long and varied, but one of the most intriguing is the annual “Funeral Games.”
The tradition reenacts the contests that were held at the funeral of Patroclus, a character in Homer’s “Iliad.” In the saga, Patroclus’ funeral was quite the event, involving 12 human sacrifices, soldiers cutting off their hair to cover the corpse, a giant bonfire to light it all on fire, and when the fire was done, the funeral games kicked off. The Greek Mythology version featured chariot races, fist fights, running, and archery, while St. John’s more modern version features competitions such as wheelbarrow races, sprinting, and tug-of-war. Oh, and students compete wearing togas, of course.
8. A campus salamander
“Jonnies,” as the students at St. John’s College in Santa Fe call themselves, do not have an official campus mascot. So, as a substitute of sorts, students and faculty alike instead keep several axolotls around campus. The New Mexican salamander lives in the wild around campus, as well as in some official laboratories in the classrooms.
Axolotls also play an important role in the college’s tradition of the annual freshmen reading of Homer’s “Iliad.” Who better to listen with rapt attention to Greek mythology than a salamander, am I right?
9. Marble dust
Students at New Mexico Tech are invited/challenged to carry 50-pound bags of limestone up the ‘M’ mountain in the annual refresh of the mountain’s letter symbol. The bags are called “marble dust” and students—or teams—compete for a prize if they are the first to reach the M on the mountain.
The competition is steep, involving roughly 2,000 feet of elevation, rough and rugged terrain, and a total of 2.5 miles. Teams or students are required to register for this annual event, and it is the only time the public is allowed on the mountain.
