There’s too much going on today with getting ready to go up to the States tomorrow for Andreas’ first birthday to write a big post, but here’s a short follow up on the last few days with some photos from yesterday.
I spent most of the day on Calle Relox, with Elvia and her girls, watching and helping a group of young men build an altar for Jesus (Kiro) and in honor all of the other deceased of this neighborhood -parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters and friends. The decorating and painting of this fountain is a tradition with these guys and is also decorated by them for every major holiday or religious festival.
The day began at 9am – a group of men on a mission carrying buckets of soapy water, hanging two story long black curtains, placing the muertos figures, plants and Xuchiles. Then the draping of boxes and tables on which photographs were placed along with tequila, beer, food and last, a giant seed and sawdust painting of Jesus (nickname Kiro) as an ironworker (his profession) and the dates of his life, 1971-2009.
Here’s a few pictures of the day.
The links to the entire slideshow are at the bottom.
Video to come.
Teri, Jesus’ daughter, plucking flowers
Elvia, surveying the scene
Little Lupita
Who wanted a picture of herself below her father’s picture
The seed and sawdust painting.
Kiro as a skeleton ironworker, hammer and anvil, 1971-2009
The altar at night
Elvia and her four girls at the altar at night.
Beto, her son, didn’t want his photo taken as he had just had
An operation on his jaw, but nevertheless, played a large part,
A rite of passage for him to be included with the men
In the construction of the altar.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO to view the entire dia de los muertos slideshow
What a wonderful tribute to Kiro and all the rest of the faithful departed! Thank you for sharing this with us Suzanne. Buen viaje y cuídense mucho 🙂
I am stunned by the seed and sawdust painting — such beauty, yet so ephemeral!