Saturday was a busy, busy day for the family. Heather went with her Mother to western Oklahoma to visit family. Logan has a lot of stuff going on and so he and I stayed home. So I took him to his horseback riding class, then to his Improv comedy workshop, and then to his rehearsal (Have I told you that he auditioned for and got a part in a Christmas play coming up.)
Anyways while he was at rehearsal I ventured to the Brady District north of downtown and took in the Day of the Dead celebration at Living Arts of Tulsa. I had always wanted to go and now I had my chance.
The first thing I saw were the murals. For something celebrating the dead they sure are alive. I love the big bright colors. The holiday is known as Dia De Los Muertos and originates in Mexico.
They are macabre in a friendly kind of way.
I really don’t get the symbolism.
This is my favorite.
There were two stages and lots of performances. I saw Ballet Folklorico Tonatiuh performing some amazing dances.
The video is only 12 seconds long. These young ladies are spectacular. It brought back some great memories of Ballet Folklorico de Mexico which I got to see during a two week stay in Mexico City when I was in high school.
As good as the murals and the performing arts were, the most fascinating thing at the show for me were the Altars or Ofrendas made to departed loved ones. The Day of the Dead is the day that the dead reunite with the living. The altars are set up in honor of the dead, not to worship them. Lots of good information here. The altar above is for Robin Williams.
This one is for the women who were convicted and executed for witchcraft at the Salem witch trials.
This one was set up in honor of dog. Note the treats and personal items and photographs. The candles are to help guide the spirit to the Altar.
Their were altars that were very personal. Note the fresh fruit and snacks which is common. The marigolds are common also.
Note the beverages which were favorites of the departed and the bread, Pan de Muerto. The dead do not eat or drink the beverages. Instead they absorb the aroma and extract the essence of the food or drink.
A suicide support group had put together an altar.
I loved the whole concept of once a year reuniting in spirit with the loved ones. I found the whole thing to be a celebration of life and an affirmation of a belief in the afterlife, rather than a macabre fascination with death. It got me thinking, I think I might have to specify what I want on my Ofrenda. Pictures of Heather, Logan, and I on the beach would be a must. And my GPS receiver and an ammo box for geocaching, one of my many participant ribbons for my running, a sunrise photograph and one of my cheap film cameras for photography. . Oh, yeah a Fat Tire Beer, and a Snicker’s Bar. And a Breaking Bad DVD, along with one of Chinatown (the best movie ever made. I’m not even going to discuss it!) And don’t forget a Metallica CD, or Five Finger Death Punch. I could go on and on.
What about you, what would your Offrenda have on it?
We are definitely on the same wavelength. Dia de los Muertos and Halloween definitely put me in the mind of thinking about what is good in life. The answer is everything except celery. And raisins.
The colors in those murals sure seem to be all about life. I am wondering how to get your blog on your ofrenda. Maybe just throw the laptop up there for a while?
Thanks for sharing the joy.
Oh, yes! I agree with everything Sandy has written!! What a great post for a great day! Thank you so much for sharing!! Wonderful way to wind down my weekend!! Have a great new week!!
Now you have me thinking, Yogi. These alters seem uplifting – good memories of departed souls.
I think it is a wonderful Holiday — we were in New Mexico the first time I ever heard of it, but now they even have a celebration up here in Oregon. The whole concept appeals to me and you know it seems it would make it easier to accept death as just another part of life.
Your pics are beautiful. And those are some wonderful altars (I’m too lazy to go back and look up the spelling of the Sspanish word)
It is an interesting holiday! I love the murals and the dancers.. Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!
The life and death of ones dear ones is celebrated in many countries around this time of year but the Mexicans really go overboard. A celebration of lives that have been and hope of an afterlife. It is said that we live on while someone remembers us. The Mexicans know how to do it with panache.
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Great Mexican artwork, thanks for sharing!
Regards from Germany, Uwe.
I think that Dia de los Muertos is a great way to honour the dead!
Congratulations to Logan!
I saw many Dia De Los Muertos offrendas on a trip to San Antonio, TX, one year and also folklorico dancing, which I enjoyed very much.
I’m guessing pizza and a bottle of red wine would be on my offrendas!
Love the images in this post Yogi. While I don’t understand much about the concept of the “Day of the Dead”, I do like some of the graphics. Personally, I like the next to the last mural the best. I don’t know if that is a target and the skull is in the bulls-eye, but I like the crisp lines and bold colors.
I suppose that my camera and images that I have captured of life and family would be appropriate for my Offrenda. My laptop with PhotoShop Elements displayed would need to be included and my favorite rod & reel with a few lures would need to be a part of the display. At least of my OU baseball caps has to be in the mix and a few of my favorite Southern Gospel CD’s.
Yes, all that color and all those SMILES! Even on the murals. Those in the auto front seat smile away for us.
I love this custom and colorful way of honoring loved ones who are gone but not forgotten.
My offrenda would probably have lots of natural things from outdoors and photos of the places I have hiked and traveled.
What a wonderful Day of the Dead Celebration they have in Tulsa! Thanks for sharing it with us. I loved all the wonderful photos. It touched me that someone made an altar for Robin Williams. And the one for all the suicides was very sad. Great post!
The Offrenda is an interesting concept. I hadn’t heard of it.
I like the colorful art and the colorful dancers.
Congrats to your son on winning a part in the Christmas play!