Honor your Ancestors on
our LA Commons Ancestor Altar
Join LA Commons in honoring your ancestor on our year round Altar. Honoring our ancestors helps us feel grounded in our own histories. Together we celebrate our ancestors who have paved the way for us to be present where we are today!
History of Altars
Ancestral altars are common across many cultures in the world. Anyone can create an altar without being religious or spiritual. Altars are a sacred space to honor and pay homage to your ancestors spiritually, often serving as a form of gratitude.
In Mexico, people create an ofrenda, or altar, to remember loved ones on Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead that is in the beginning of November. In many Buddhist traditions and African religions, altars have a permanent space in the household so people can honor the dead not just once a year but every day. Items placed in an altar are typically objects that remind and/or represent our ancestor including heirlooms, photos, candles, food offerings and flowers.
Interested in donating in the honor of an ancestor?
Reflect
Directions
Create
Contribute
Take time to reflect on who your ancestors were. Think about how much they have contributed to your life and remind yourself of their role in your life and the community.
Grab a pencil, pen or marker and draw and/or write something in their honor.
Add your item, drawing, and/or story to our tree altar
The Month's Events
Every Saturday until June 24
11:00AM - 3:30PM
Seeds of the Village Saturdays: Workshops for Mind, Body, and Soul
Leimert Park
Healing community workshops to learn dancing, mask making, and drumming
Saturday, June 3
12:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Cultural Treasures of South LA: Food for Thought, Body, and Mind
Tree Yoga Cooperative at The Beehive
Join Cultural Treasures of South LA & The Tree Yoga Cooperative for a fun plant-based food demo, story-telling activities, and a yoga & sound bath meditation suitable for all bodies and experience levels.
Saturday, June 10
10-1PM
Cultural Treasures of South LA: Garden Chats
Senshin Buddhist Temple
Experience a storytelling event like no other, honoring the rich history of the Japanese-American connection and presence in South Los Angeles. We hope to see you at the historic Senshin Buddhist Temple for a day of conversation and celebration.
Sunday, June 18
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cultural Treasures of South LA x Juneteenth CicLAvia
Vermont Ave./Slauson Ave.
Stop by the Cultural Treasures of South LA at CicLAvia hub at CicLAvia-South LA to experience a curated day of music, poetry, and dance by South LA's Cultural Treasures.
Sunday, June 25
12 - 6pm
Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks
Leimert Park
2023 marks the 13th Annual Day of Ancestors: Festival of Masks (FOM) at the Leimert Park Art Walk. The 2023 theme, Seeds of the Village, centers on Leimert Park Ancestors who planted the seeds of art, culture and wellness and features artists and cultural workers who carry their vision forward