The Calacas: They appear on advertisements...
Día de los Muertos 2013
by Victoria Challancin
They are everywhere, the calacas. Everywhere. And all of San Miguel, visitors and residents alike, turn out to celebrate our departed loved ones. Here in Mexico we honor the dead as a way of celebrating life. We remember, we cry, we talk about it, we commercialize it, and there are those who might suggest we trivialize it. But no...we honor our dead. And we remember...
In a previous post called El Día de los Muertos: The Poetry of Death, I wrote the following, which still rings true:
"Mexicans celebrate life. Mexicans celebrate death. Mexicans celebrate--that is a joyous fact of life. Firecrackers, parades, bands, food...families coming together, schools reinforcing traditions, life continuing in timeless ways midst the turmoil of modern change."
They come in giant-size...
They decorate the faces of tourists...and their bags
They smoke...
Some come in paper...and all appear on altars...
They play music...
In wax form, they hide among the flowers...
Some have corn teeth...
They lurk in my house...
They come made of sugar...
They peep through the cempasuchiles (marigolds) and cockscombs
They are constructed out of beans, peas, rice, and seeds
They are everywhere the calacas...those enduring skulls and skeletons. Everywhere. And I love them.
Parting Shot:
They even shine through the offerings...
Note: For more photo essays and information on Day of the Dead, see these posts from years past:
- Images from Day of the Dead, 2010 (The Poetry of Death) Background and History
- Day of the Dead: The Altars
- Mexican Day of the Dead: The Altars
- Day of the Dead Market--Alfeñiques
- Day of the Dead: Setting Up the Altar
©Victoria Challancin. All Rights Reserved.
Please ask permission before using text or photos. Thanks!
Is that one lurking in your house your son? I think even with all the make-up on I can tell he's a very good looking boy. Enjoy the celebration xx
ReplyDeleteG'day and thank you for your lovely post today, true!
ReplyDeleteLove how Mexican celebrate life AND celebrate death too!
Cheers! Joanne
Every year I look forward to your Day of the Dead posts Victoria and they never disappoint! :D And I'm with Charlie, your son or the lurker in your house is very handsome!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading your post last year . . . but it led to no further study: this time I have to find out more about this celebration. You have lived in SMA for more than two decades and made this your 'natural' own [Yes, Zack does present very elegantly even with all the paint!] . . . but methinks it would take me time to both understand and feel totally comfortable. One thing I accept but do not like: the tourists being part of the commercial setup, probably knowing little and possibly having no respect . . . fascinating post . .
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thank you for the beautiful tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you. That was a fun tour.
ReplyDeleteAl
This looks like so much fun! Fantastic pictures of a beautiful festival.
ReplyDeleteThere's no place more colorful than Mexico … wonderful photos!
ReplyDeletefantastic costume, that is so much fun out there.
ReplyDelete