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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2013 4:58:42 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2013 5:28:31 GMT
Death appears to be not proud, although it may be the weight of his head that gives that effect ~Mucho más to show, so please check back later!
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Post by questa on Nov 3, 2013 8:04:25 GMT
Bixa! what a fabulous set of pictures! I felt as if I were there, even though this ceremony is new to me. What are the origins? I guess it is a version of Halloween, is it?
What colour and costumes.
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Post by htmb on Nov 3, 2013 14:05:15 GMT
Pictures posted to this point are magnificent, Bixa. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
I find the gorgeous costume components - beans, seeds, corn husks - very intriguing.
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Post by mich64 on Nov 3, 2013 15:44:54 GMT
Wonderful Bixa!
The costumes seem to have a different color theme from last year, or is it just my imagination? Maybe it is just this groups designs. I enjoyed the color and material choices used in creating these costumes. The make-up is an art, really well done.
The dress made from newspaper is creatively designed and I would think it must have taken many hours to construct.
So much planning must go into this celebration and it does not seem that it lessens each year but in fact seems to grow which ensures the tradition and meaning of this event will grown well into the next generation.
Looking forward to more!
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Post by bjd on Nov 3, 2013 19:46:44 GMT
Do you get the impression that the celebrations are becoming more elaborate every year, Bixa?
(I ask because I was struck in Canada how Halloween seems to have become a huge thing, with so many houses decorated and pumpkins on verandas throughout October. It wasn't a big deal, only something for little kids when I was young.)
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Post by mich64 on Nov 3, 2013 20:04:11 GMT
I do agree bjd, Halloween has become a huge thing. People spend a lot of money on candy for the kids and even more on costumes.
My niece made an adorable fire truck for my great nephew to wear. I could not believe the detail the construction of this costume, hopefully I can get her to send me a picture. It even had flashing warning lights which would be perfect for safety while walking the streets trick or treating.
Also I noticed how my husbands cousins in France have gotten totally involved with Halloween, fantastic make-uo and costumes on their facebook pages. I know when we were there about 10 years ago they barely knew anything about it but they certainly do now. The adult are just as involved as the kids!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2013 20:06:53 GMT
Fantasic photos!!!
I too, am blown away by the elaborate costumes, most especially the seed, grain headpieces.
A truly fabulous report!!
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Post by lagatta on Nov 3, 2013 21:54:41 GMT
And Death made of cornhusks, just as living humans are made of maize, in Mesoamerican creation stories. Splendid. Thanks, bixa!!!!!
Similar to Halloween, but a different syncretism. Halloween combined Celtic lore with the Christian variety. I'll have to read more about Mesoamerican mythology to better understand how this syncretizes with Catholicism (and earlier Mediterranean myth for that matter). Death's costume obviously combines Indigenous cornhusks with the garb of a monk or other Catholic penitent.
The people of Oaxaca look so lovely.
On a tangent, what do people think and feel about the new Pope?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2013 3:46:37 GMT
Thank you all so much for the kind and encouraging comments. (Which you may regret -- I have many pictures!) this ceremony is new to me. What are the origins? I guess it is a version of Halloween, is it? Questa, I do apologize. This was a case of standing too close to the trees, & not realizing everyone doesn't know about this forest. Briefly, this is a celebration of a pre-Hispanic belief (that endures still) that the dead come back to visit once a year at this time. Rather neatly, the time of year coincided with the imported religion's celebrations of All Hallow's Eve, All Saints Day, & All Souls Day, so the two beliefs have merged through the years. I've covered the holiday every year but one since AnyPort began: Days of the Dead, Oaxaca 2009Muertos, Oaxaca 2011The Return of the Dead, 2012The costumes seem to have a different color theme from last year, or is it just my imagination? Do you get the impression that the celebrations are becoming more elaborate every year, Bixa? Yes, yes to both of you. Last year's costumes were great fun, but over all, this year's seem to involve much more work and planning. What's really admirable is that, for the visual impact, most of the costumes probably didn't cost much in money, but certainly show a big investment in imagination and time. However, looking at the costumes and pageantry from this group last year, I can't say their party this year was more elaborate. Actually, it seems like fewer people. As for Halloween, it's reached so few kids here, it's barely worth mentioning. I was going to touch on this later in the thread, but it seems appropriate now to mention that it was obvious this year that Oaxaca was feeling the economic pinch caused by the lengthy teachers' strike. There were far fewer "early warning signs" of the holiday than in previous years, for instance. Not only that, but extensive rains and some frosts meant that many flowers were ruined, so the supply was skimpy and more expensive. And Death made of cornhusks, just as living humans are made of maize, in Mesoamerican creation stories. Splendid. Thanks, bixa!!!!! Clever LaGatta! I hadn't picked up on that. Just perfect, thanks! (Sorry -- haven't discussed the Pope with anyone.)Here you go, Htmb & Betty ~~
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Post by htmb on Nov 4, 2013 4:12:41 GMT
Fabulous!!!! Any idea the base underneath the seeds, etc?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2013 5:03:34 GMT
Outrageous! Yes, I would be curious as to the seeds and grains and what they are attached to. So much work put into making these!!!
I showed these pics to a friend of mine, and, it was then that I noticed there seemed to be less flowers. Now I know why. That's really a shame because in years past they were sooooo many.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2013 5:24:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2013 7:10:40 GMT
I agree that the costumes appear to be much more spectacular and carefully created/designed compared to previous years.
With such an incredible pool of talent, one would imagine that the local fashion industry must be booming. Is it?
Can't wait to see more photos!
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Post by bjd on Nov 4, 2013 8:21:22 GMT
Do the numbers on some of the costumes mean there was a contest of some kind?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2013 19:29:14 GMT
Hi Betty ~~ didn't mean to ignore you, but I was putting together my post when you posted about the base for the seed collars, so didn't see your post. You'll see that I answered Htmb on that subject above. Kerouac, re: local fashion industry ~~ I wouldn't say booming. There are a couple of designers incorporating the traditional weaving & embroidery into modern designs, but I haven't seen any of that which is hugely impressive. The real flights of fancy are seen in the confections created for 15th birthday celebrations. I'd love to know if the costumes in this thread were created by kids in design classes. Yes, Bjd ~~ Sorry, as with Questa's question, yours proves that I'm blithely taking for granted that everyone has closely read & remembered the day of the dead threads from previous years. The numbers are for a contest that must have taken place at the culmination of the parade and party. Here's a full-sized photo of the young woman on the left in the triptych above. You can see her number has the word "individual" on it, which must mean there was at least a designation for groups, if not other sections as well. Lots & lots & lots of people!This guy on stilts was leading a cheer for San Antonino.
LOUD -- He was really loud!
You can see his ghostly pals are joining in with gusto.
A really great thing was that, even with the number of people -- some of whom were only en route somewhere, trying to get to home or work before it rained -- even with the exuberant spirits and cameras snapping and people jockeying for positions to see better, everyone was friendly and courteous.
The mannequins cast their zombie stares out over the crowd ~
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Post by htmb on Nov 4, 2013 20:39:22 GMT
So, Bixa, do YOU ever dress up for events like this one to get more involved in the fun?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 5, 2013 18:25:38 GMT
Htmb, to tell the truth, I am not that comfortable with costuming, even though I truly enjoy the artistry & verve of good costumes. It's odd, because I've lived in two cities with a strong costuming culture, but disappearing into another persona sort of spooks me. I do love getting all dressed up, though, & have a blurry picture to prove it, which I'll show in a bit. Well, let's wrap up our viewing of this comparsa, as in thread time it's getting ready to rain ~~
What the-violent-bear-it-away business is going on here?!Yikes!This is a long street running north & slightly uphill from the main square, where the party began. That may account for the relative solemnity here ~
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 5, 2013 18:39:35 GMT
Here comes the next wave. Love the girl in the red devil horns -- she's obviously decided it would be a shame to cover up her amazing natural beauty with icky makeup ~~No idea what the pregnant(?) woman is meant to represent. Well, if I don't get the heck out of here now, my little camera will get dead from the rain.
Always leave 'em dancing!~~ Different days, different stuff to see coming up ~~
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Post by htmb on Nov 6, 2013 0:45:28 GMT
" Htmb, to tell the truth, I am not that comfortable with costuming, even though I truly enjoy the artistry & verve of good costumes. It's odd, because I've lived in two cities with a strong costuming culture, but disappearing into another persona sort of spooks me.
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" I can relate, Bixa. I think the last time I dressed up I was 25 and arrived at a (non dress-up) dinner dressed as a Spanish dancer wearing a miniskirt and flaunting a long stem red rose between my teeth. And I was very sober. The costumes continue to look wonderful, though the open abdomen of the "dead" guy is fortunately not very realistic. I would have guessed unbleached muslin for the backing, but in your photos the costumes almost look like they are made out of lightweight leather.
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Post by mich64 on Nov 6, 2013 1:55:47 GMT
Still being amazed by the creativity of the costumes and the detail in the make-up. I bet that young man's stomach did not smell very good by the end of the day. Looking forward to seeing more of the festivities.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 6, 2013 16:51:39 GMT
Thanks, Mich. It amazes me that some of those kids are willing to take on passive & uncomfortable roles, such as the black-wrapped mummies & the boy with the guts. Also, it's kind of a hoot that their companions are willing to carry around a heavy, real human being rather than a mock-up. So now, in thread time, it's October 31. I'll be going out at night, but a morning visit to my little local market shows it has the necessities for celebrating the season ~~Now it's night-time & I'm on my way to an eagerly anticipated art opening. It's a mob scene outside, with traffic not moving & huge clumps of people in front of Sto. Domingo, which is on my route. Very frustrating not to have the time to hang out there, where multiple comparsas are taking place. Still, I managed this shot of stilt-walkers resting against the wall of the church. The girl is dressed as Our Lady of Soledad, the patroness of Oaxaca, & one of the guys is an alebrije ~~ There was a solid wall of people enjoying a concert in the plazuela on one side of the church, meaning that I had to go up the steps & mince my way in cute shoes across the dirt & tree roots to get to the other side. On the bright side, I encountered this Copacabana creature. He caught me snapping him & gave my camera to his friend to take us together. I have neither a goiter nor a double chin, although it sure looks like it here ~I reach my objective. The pictures are absolutely wonderful, although I need to go back during the day to see them in better light.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 6, 2013 17:06:50 GMT
A visit to the cemetery is proposed, so a group troops off, with a side trip to the Ferrocarril museum, which is featuring a (scantily attended) concert. I see I only have one picture from the railroad station, of the artist showing off his great zooty shoes ~ On to the municipal cemetery & all the stands in front of it. It's around midnight. There are still people around, but there's a definite air of stayed-too-long-at-the-fair ~The group attempts to enter the cemetery. No such luck. Stragglers are being let out, but no one gets in.*sigh*As my dad (whose 95th birthday this would have been) would say, it's time to blow this pop stand. I'll be back here tomorrow.
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Post by htmb on Nov 6, 2013 18:06:02 GMT
Loving these pictures, Bixa! The colors are always so vibrant, no matter what occasion you photograph.
I'm wondering, forgive me if you've answered this question before, but how are the young people organized for this event? Are they part of different organizations? School groups? Older than school age? And, speaking of schools, are the teachers still on strike?
I absolutely love the colors of your dress and am very glad you chose not to dress in a Day of the Dead costume. You look quite elegant!
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Post by lugg on Nov 7, 2013 10:28:14 GMT
Really fab photos Bixa, thank you also for the links. The costumes are in the main outstanding. I too like the Aztec themes the most. I guess that some are based on the Eagle warrior? It took me a few secs to understand your caption re the mannequins but then I spotted them ;D
You look very elegant too. I did look up more about the artist , his work is very interesting.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 7, 2013 19:05:55 GMT
Thank you so much, Htmb, & thank you for "getting" the not wanting to costume thing. (although your turn as a flamenco dancer sounds rather magnificent!) The teachers supposedly went back to work on the 10th of October, although there are still problems & still kids without teachers. The kids in the comparsa are from the "smart kids high schools" -- COBAO. Please see the tiny letters as then end of the introduction in the OP for an explanatory link. I call that color in my dress "Fidel Castro green" & it's one of my favorite colors to wear. The dress & that style of embroidery is from Papaloapan, where the state of Oaxaca borders the state of Veracruz. Huge thanks, Lugg! I agree with you that the pre-columbian costumes are the best in every way. Based on my small sample of two of these comparsas, it looks as though the kids are trying to top the efforts of the previous year. Can't wait to see what they come up with for 2014! Yes, the show is excellent, although it as yet appears to be under-represented on the internet.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 21:01:22 GMT
In 17 and 18, even though I of course love the people and their costumes, I found myself admiring the paving stones even more. Is that a completely pedestrian street at all times?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 7, 2013 21:17:35 GMT
And now, in thread time, it's All Saints Day -- November 1.
Along with three other people, I head out to the Abastos market. Two of the people are visitors to Oaxaca, & this is their first Day of the Dead. The other person is the friend who was with me last year on the picture-taking expedition of November 1. We wanted to dazzle the others with the glories of the market, but there was so much less of everything this year. Still, the color & life of the market are always stimulating to all the senses, especially at this time of year.The Abastos, which is the big central market of the city, has been renovated since last year. This included the addition of many new galvanized metal spaces for vendors. Here we are in one of the new areas, with this intriguing mystery in the middle of it ~ Decisions, decisions ~ Admittedly, this doesn't look appetizing, but if you could only smell it, you'd want to position your open mouth right below the stream of freshly ground chocolate ~Back into the more picturesque sections, where everything for celebrating the season can be found ~That includes zillions of these, in every size. Must send some to DonC next year for his breads. "And how are those used?", you ask ~~
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 21:30:51 GMT
Oooh.... creepy! I could have nightmares about the bread coming to life.
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Post by htmb on Nov 7, 2013 23:08:26 GMT
"I call that color in my dress "Fidel Castro green" & it's one of my favorite colors to wear. The dress & that style of embroidery is from Papaloapan, where the state of Oaxaca borders the state of Veracruz."
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Lovely!
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