xxx5qbttjpobmnbhb{jof5dpn - Passional Magazine

t h o u g h t s o n h a l l o w e e n
Los Dias De Los Muertes
As with many things in our shared culture, the common theme of Halloween
tends to come from a point of view that was held in some way by those of European
lineage. But for some of us, the coming of All Hallows Eve brings with it a
more esoteric train of thought.
Being part Mexican, Halloween brings me to thoughts of those no longer able to
walk beside us in their mortal forms, yet who are always in our minds in one way
or another. El Dia De Los Muertes, or Days of the Dead, is a chance for us to
celebrate the one day of the year when those spirits will be with us again. Foods
such as pan de muerte, or bread of the dead, are offered to give the spirits sustenance,
and flowers are offered to help guide their way back to us. Altars are
sometimes made at a family’s house, with these offerings placed upon them so that
the spirits of loved ones may soon be nearby. Sometimes, incense is also burned. If
you are ever in Mexico at this blessed time, you will be treated to sights and sounds
that will stay with you the rest of your life. Walking from one’s home to the
cemetery, you will see hundreds and hundreds of marigolds and all manners of
skeletons and other macabre toys ranging from intricate paper cutouts to elaborate
wreaths and crosses decorated with paper or silk flowers.
Unlike most cultures that seem to hold the dead in some semblance of revulsion,
with spirits being evil and skeletons a sign of a tortuous death, Mexicans seem to
embrace the dead, even to the point of making the human skeleton a large part of
indigenous art. Most importantly, this commemoration is a way to make the
unfamiliar become familiar, and for families to pass down the traditions and ancestry
of not only their own lineage, but of their culture. This tradition is part of the
ancient Mexican belief that life is not just about living, but also about death. This
way of thinking lends itself to the most enduring of lifetime love affairs — the
otherwise inexplicable lack of the fear of death. Most Mexicans embrace death,
taunt it’s proximity, and flirt with it. Life, she was a potential wife.
And while these traditions would seem to fall by the wayside, due in part to modernization and the inevitable Americanization of
Mexico, many Mexican people are holding
onto these pre-Christian traditions all
the more tenaciously. It would seem that,
as always, the conquerors of Mexico never
truly defeat the people of this spiritual
land, but instead, become woven into the
fabric of it. The traditions have even become
something of a tourist attraction
for a society like ours that tries to stave
off illness and quiet the call of death until
the very last moment.
Los Dias De Los Muertes are celebrated
November 1 and 2. Traditionally, the 1st
is dedicated to those who suffered an untimely
death, namely children, and the 2nd
is reserved for adults.
Above: 'Tis the season for all-in-one
spandex bondage suits with enclosed
fingers, feet, and open or closed faced
hoods.
Left: Hobble, hobble, toil and trouble.
Patent vinyl platform shoes prop up the
satin finished hobble by Coatney, bustier
by Lippy and Vamplet cape by Cora.
20 pm 2.9 — 10/04