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By Diane Smith
KRT CAMPUS
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FORT WORTH, Texas — A grinning family
lays on a sandy beach as a cruise ship drifts by.
Sut what appears to be a typical scene from a
aribbean getaway is not: These figurines have
ikulls instead of faces.
Nearby, bakers make tortillas and a figurine
f a skeleton pistolero, or gunslinger, stands
uard. Like the beachgoers, they have grinning
ikulls for heads.
The images fill the shelves of La Mariposa
ift shop in Dallas with the eerie mix of death
ind ceremony that marks the Day of the Dead.
Many Mexican immigrants and Mexican-
tmericans celebrate the holiday Nov. 1 and 2
ith altars honoring deceased loved ones. The
radition is crossing cultural lines, fueled largely
iy a growing Hispanic population that is leaving
ts imprint on American society.
Hispanics are not the only customers buying
rightly colored specialty artwork on the
nternet or at import stores. Teachers are bring-
ng the tradition into classrooms as social stud-
es, writing or art lessons.
“In America, everybody celebrates every-
icdy’s holidays. We can be Irish for a day or cel-
brate Cinco de Mayo,” said Roberto Trevino,
listorian and assistant director of the Center for
Mexican American Studies at the University of
Texas at Arlington.
The Day of the Dead is primarily associated
th customs practiced in southern Mexico that
date back centuries to Mesoamerican cultures
it existed there before Spanish rule.
Other Latin American countries, such as Peru,
tave similar festivities and artwork. Through the
fears, those traditions merged with the Catholic
lommemoration of All Saints Day and All Souls
bay on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, respectively.
These two days are when Day of the Dead
iseodr ,b£ fsrssS'.efct . i .
activities take place.
“In Mexican culture, there is an attitude
toward death that it is something to be accept
ed,” Trevino said. “It’s a tradition to make fun of
death.”
In the Mexican cities of Oaxaca, San
Cristobal de las Casas and Patzcuaro, the tradi
tions are spectacular for thei^ beauty and eeri
ness, experts say. In Patzcuaro, souls are helped
across a lake in boats filled with white flowers
and candles.
Family and friends in the United States and
Mexico build altars in their homes to honor the
life of someone who has died. The altars are
often adorned with portraits, religious icons and
colorful decorations. Often, the person’s favorite
foods are included.
Shopkeepers at area Mexican import stores
said interest in the Day of the Dead has slowly
increased in the past decade.
“A lot of people that buy it are surprised by
how strange it is,” said Michael Garza, manager
of the Plaza del Sol shop in Fort Worth. “A lot of
people buy it because they are trying to get back
into their culture.”
Many non-Hispanics become smitten with
Day of the Dead folk art while visiting Mexico
as tourists.
The artwork turns up more and more in
import stores and in movies such as “Frida.”
Singer Lucinda Williams’ album “Essence” has
a female skeleton on the back cover.
“It’s huge. It’s crossing cultures,” said Candy
Hearne, a manager at La Mariposa. “It’s another
excuse to celebrate.”
At La Mariposa, fancy skeleton ladies called
“Katrinas” are lined up along shelves near
Mexican Nativity sets. The store stocks sugar
skulls and papel picado — festive paper with
Day of the Dead images cut into it.
Dallas native Kelly Howell recently surveyed
pieces at La Mariposa while shopping for a
birthday present.
Her friend’s birthday had a
jiskey
DO
40
.85
.85
lives will be saved
if you do NOTHING
African Americans are at risk for illnesses that can lead to the
need for an organ transplant, such as high blood pressure,
diabetes, and heart disease. Of the patients awaiting a kidney
transplant, 35% are African American. Transplant success
increases when organs are matched between people of the
same racial and ethnic group. You can help by becoming an
organ and tissue donor and talking to your family about vour
decision. y
Come talk to us on November 4th
at the Commons Lobby or in Zachry.
GET THE FACTS
TELL YOUR FAMILY
For more information:
www.donorworld.com
www.organ.org
TOLL FREE 1.800.788.8058
http://www.shareyourlife.6rg/africanamerican
Org^ n
and tissue
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have spoken to m V lantity abouX organ
Tvrtsh xo dooaVe Vhe toWovAng-.
coded ovaans and tossue
\\oTw "ettto-ng organs and tissue.
Page 3A • Thursday, October 30, 2003
MD*
Jeffery Washington • KRT CAMPUS
The La Mariposa gift shop in Dallas offers items for the Day of the Dead. Celebrating the Mexican holiday is becom
ing a growing occurrence among Hispanics. The holiday honors the memory of deceased loved ones.
Day of the Dead theme, and she planned to sign
her gift, “Happy Birthday, Ghoulfriend.”
“I like it. I think it’s fun,” she said.
Malaise Lindenfeld, owner of Miami-based
Inkubus.com, said she has carried Day of the
Dead novelties for several years, including
molds and meringue used to make sugar skulls.
In recent months, the demand has exploded.
“I have gotten orders fftMfTapan, Canada and
' ' -O |
all over the states,” she said.
Much of the interest comes because the holi
day takes place near Halloween.
But unlike the scariness associated with
Halloween, the Day of the Dead is for recogni
tion and acceptance of death as a natural part of
life, experts and aficionados say.
“It’s such a nice deal,” said Ray Grawunder,
owner of La Mariposa. “It honors ancestors.”
BjH ail B ’C iff 1
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NALLClVEEA'AT “me hau. "
$1.00 U CALL ITS TIL IO P.M.
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COMING SOON: Friday, Nov. 7th: The Emotions
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The Texas Hall of Fame encourages you to drink responsibly and always
designate a driver. Free soft drinks to designated drivers over 21.