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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 2, 2018 5:28:13 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 2, 2018 5:53:32 GMT
As we say in Thailand, same same but different. It's true that there are endless variations for all of these costumes, and that's what makes it interesting. While I am always impressed by the super elaborate outfits, sometimes the simple ones are even more effective.
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 2, 2018 14:49:48 GMT
How remarkable is this?
Does it happen all over Mexico?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 2, 2018 16:24:35 GMT
I agree about the costumes, Kerouac. Of course it's fun for onlookers to goggle at the really elaborate ones, but I suspect those in minimal costume have more fun as the day goes on. Mick, Mexico is a secular country, but people identifying as Roman Catholic numbered around 83% in the 2010 census. There are way, way more religious festivals here than in your country or mine. Well before the Spanish arrived in Mexico, the time of the year encompassing day of the dead was celebrated as the time that the departed briefly returned to earth. After Catholicism took hold (well, was imposed), the feast days of All Saints and All Souls merged with the existing native belief. I think way back in my first Muertos report from 2009 there is a discussion of beliefs around this time of year, and around the world there is a strong tradition of the dead visiting at this time. As far as it happening all over Mexico, I believe that varies quite a bit, with the celebration being no more elaborate in some places than it would be in Louisiana or France, i.e. putting pots of chrysanthemums on the family tombs. What Oaxaca has going for it is a heavily indigenous population, so a stronger retention of tradition. Also, the city is in a valley ringed by communities, thus the magna comparsa where groups representing each town come into the city. The woman who wrote this article is very knowledgeable and reliable, and it should tell you more about Day of the Dead than most people will ever know: www.tripsavvy.com/day-of-the-dead-in-mexico-1588764
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 2, 2018 16:39:41 GMT
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Post by lagatta on Nov 2, 2018 19:15:05 GMT
Baby looks as if she is payasoman's long-suffering wife "You look ridiculous in that; stop trying to drag the cute young dead women".
Halloween also derives from syncretism between Celtic beliefs and Christianity. Some holidays simply derive from the seasons; I was cycling home in mist yesterday - fortunately it wasn't cold but everything had that otherworldly character. It was long before dark but I was careful to turn my head and tail lights on.
I was intrigued by the pumpkin re-appropriated for the days of the dead. Of course pumpkin is an American gourd; I've read that the Celts who turned vegetables into lanterns used root vegetables before their arrival in the old world. They are pretty much meaningless now, but it was interesting to see them re-invested as an element in the days of the dead, and their colour matches the orange marigolds and other flowers.
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Post by whatagain on Nov 2, 2018 19:51:35 GMT
Lovely pics and à lovely Wayne ri célébrante thé deal. If for no ôter tesson i am à fan og Halloween thaï put d’un un an otherwise full and sas way to hibou tour d’eau babxk web i d’as à kid.
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Post by whatagain on Nov 2, 2018 19:52:38 GMT
Hihi. I wrote using m’y wife iPhone. Wonder How she configured it ....
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 2, 2018 20:56:12 GMT
I was cycling home in mist yesterday ... everything had that otherworldly character. I do love when the weather & lighting conform to a mood or season. As for the pumpkins ~ I think lots of Halloween stuff sneaked in because it was bright and in the case of pumpkins, had the right color to go with traditional day of the dead dressings. But it's my perception that DofD is going to eventually morph into Halloween, albeit with Mexican touches. It may take another twenty years or so, but I'm guessing the profundity of the true Muertos tradition is slipping away. That was amusing, Whatagain! I think I figured everything out up to "I am a fan of Halloween", but the rest ...? Hibou = grouch?
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 2, 2018 21:18:08 GMT
Lovely pics and à lovely Wayne ri célébrante thé deal. If for no ôter tesson i am à fan og Halloween thaï put d’un un an otherwise full and sas way to hibou tour d’eau babxk web i d’as à kid. Eh?
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Post by mich64 on Nov 3, 2018 2:57:47 GMT
What I noted this year were more horns, on people and horned animals. Many faces that were half make-up and the other half was regular make-up. Beautiful costumes in black and muted colors.
My favorite photo is the black and white (with the orange) of the young ladies in your last post, but really, there are so many great photographs like the ones in the twilight, superb.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2018 6:25:58 GMT
Hmm. You made me go look at last year's thread to compare the number of horns, Mich! I have to say that I think I liked being at the form-up to the comparsa last year more than this year. There was something about all the groups being gathered in that long narrow space that made them stay together more and sort of created more of a general feeling of excitement. Thanks so much for the photos comments. I was pleased with that b&w with orange picture & its sort of floating quality. As for face painting, of course all those people in the park were made up for the parade, but boy did I see way more people in general made up this year. Every you looked there was a stand set up for face painting, and I saw many foreign tourists all made up.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 3, 2018 6:35:29 GMT
Are the little brooms for little witches?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2018 6:45:02 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2018 6:58:59 GMT
Are the little brooms for little witches? Hee hee ~ maybe, Kerouac! Actually, this is the first year I remember seeing witch costumes, since the classic hag-on-a-broomstick witch image was unknown here. This is something the traditionalists have been fighting for -- to maintain the old customary images of day of the dead: the bishop, the friar, the ghost bride, the demon, etc. Now we're seeing witches, lots of pirates, Wednesday Addams, etc.
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Post by Test on Nov 3, 2018 14:51:51 GMT
My two cents : as a photographer, it's better to share a small number of excellent photos than a massive number of so so photos. Overkill. It looks like you just walked around constantly snapping pics, rather than choosing what to photograph. Then you dump them all here. That's not photography that's being a tourist
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 3, 2018 15:49:13 GMT
I have been told that, too, and I beg to differ. Here we have the freedom to each choose our favourite photos in these reports, rather than having a restrictive editorial selection imposed upon us. That is one of the strong points of the internet, compared to paper publications that have to worry about printing costs.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2018 16:28:20 GMT
Dear Test Guest ~ what a charming comment from someone who obviously has missed the point of this entire forum. Part of its stated function is to provide a platform for people to tell stories with pictures. And that includes good, bad, and indifferent photographers with the generosity and verve to share their experiences in this way.
Yes, I did walk around snapping photos in order to capture what I could inside of crowds and movement. Yes, some of the pictures are "so so", as you so snottily state. But I want to impart the feeling of the festival, knowing that there is an audience of people who appreciate learning about new things. I feel this gives a better avenue for me rather than setting up a vanity blog to showcase a few good pictures which others are expected to admire.
As for being a tourist ~ I happen to live where the pictures were taken, but since I also travel, I understand the impetus to gawk and take in everything new and different. Everyone on this forum who makes a picture thread also understands that & tries to satisfy the curiosity of viewers. I find the knee-jerk negative view of "tourist" pretentious and narrow-minded.
So, as a self-styled "photographer", maybe you should be out taking pictures instead of using your time to criticize something you obviously did not understand.
I see you are in Texas. Perhaps at least you will go to the polls and vote against Trump's craven puppy dog on Tuesday.
Love & kisses, Bixa
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Post by onlyMark on Nov 3, 2018 16:45:26 GMT
Dear Test Guest, As someone who also has a slightly off-kilter sense of humour, I appreciate you giving me the chuckle of the day.
Edited to add - Oops sorry, you were serious. My misinterpretation.
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Post by mich64 on Nov 3, 2018 16:53:17 GMT
Test guest I do not know how you came upon Any Port In a Storm, but for your awareness, it is not a forum dedicated to professional or even amateur photographers. It is a community of people who encourage each other to post photographs and have discussions on a variety of topics of shared interests and activities to educate and entertain one another. While we sometimes pick out a favorite photograph or offer congratulations, I feel the purpose here is to enjoy and thrive on the compilation of the journey of each individuals day or holiday.
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Post by mossie on Nov 3, 2018 18:49:48 GMT
Re test guest. It takes all sorts to make the world, unfortunately there are a few who are pretentious twats, best ignored.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2018 21:41:36 GMT
Thanks to all you men -- Kerouac, Mark, & Mossie -- for your pithy statements which say all that needs to be said. And Mich, thank you for saying exactly what I wanted to say, but far more eloquently and succinctly. So now I will move on to yet more and more pictures which may well have you, my friends, agreeing with TestGuest.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2018 4:37:48 GMT
Despite our overly low-key experience last year on venturing into the countryside, my constant Muertos picture-taking companion and I decided to give it another try. Our objective this time was San Sebastian Etla and also Villa de Etla. We were hoping to come upon quiet scenes of graveyard decoration or some unknown custom.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2018 21:35:50 GMT
After San Sebastian, we took a colectivo taxi over to Villa de Etla. It was Wednesday, so their market day. I was so taken with these cardboard representations of caritas, the little flour-based faces that are stuck into pan de muertos ~ Lunch time. Therese had a sheep taco & broth from this stand, while I opted for the broth and an Etla pork tamal ~ Wending through the outside part of the market on our way to the cemetery. Looking up into the churchyard ~ Altar in the courtyard of a hotel. It wasn't until after I took the pictures that I saw the sign stating "Cuartos express, 100 pesos". What does that mean?
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2018 21:48:32 GMT
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Post by casimira on Nov 5, 2018 15:29:10 GMT
Yet another outstanding display of photos that encompass such a wide range all the "so so" representations of this fete. I really, really love the black ladies and your b&w trickery. Well done! (My suggestion to "test y guest"; Why not just get yourself a brochure from one of the many travel agencies that advertise this festival/celebration? For profit I might add). Thanks for getting out there and taking the time to dump share your experience with us once again Bixa.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 5, 2018 16:04:06 GMT
Such a presentation definitely makes me want to return to Oaxaca. Not living there, I can't imagine being able to absorb the event every year, but the thought of every two or three years makes the desire to see it again grow. Then again, I absorb the Paris Christmas windows and the Nuit Blanche every year and want to see it all each time, so I totally understand Bixa's enthusiasm.
And just like Paris, there are subtle evolutions every time that can be appreciated by anyone who follows the theme.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 5, 2018 17:48:10 GMT
Casimira, thank you so much! As someone who lives where there is a very big and famous blow-out every year, I know you appreciate the ambivalence between wanting to immerse yourself completely or draw the shades and stay in with a good book. Kerouac, I am so pleased that you'd contemplate returning to Oaxaca. And you make the perfect point about seeing annual events. I know there are people who wait all year for you to show the Christmas windows and other recurring visual treats from Paris, in all their variety. Both of you know that you always have a place to stay in Oaxaca. Keep that in mind since this is my last Muertos thread from Oaxaca. Time for someone else to take up the task!
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 5, 2018 18:07:49 GMT
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Post by whatagain on Nov 5, 2018 18:38:46 GMT
Hi Just wanted to say 2 things : 1/ I like your pics and if there are too many, I will not complain, the ones I like may not be all the ones others like 2/ I meant that I'm a fan of Hallowwen because it made of a sad and dull day something where you can find fun. 3/ is off topic : I resent people going to cemeteries on 1st of now (toussaint as we say in Frenc - all saints ) the way a 'regular' would resent a horde of tourists invading their favorite pub. I know, it sounds weird but somehow I consider 'my' cemetery as - yes, 'mine'... that I can share with people worthy of it - meaning the ones that go quite often, not just once a year... absurd and egocentric but still it is my way of eeing things. Na ! (na is a childish word that means ... er, 'that is how I want it, the way I say, and don't bother answering me, I don't care'... all of this in 2 letters. Na !
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