Yesterday, in Tucson, Arizona. The annual All Souls Procession parade took place on 4th Avenue. Created by local artist Susan Johnson in 1990, she was inspired to remember and celebrate the passing of her father through art, and to recreate the celebration of festivals that have taken place in Mexico for thousands of years.
This ritual is called Dia de los Muertos. Or Day of the Dead. The indigenous people of Mexico created this colorful celebration to remember, honor, mourn, and pray for the souls of their passed on loved ones. Since we are so close to Mexico, this celebration has ventured over to the people living in the valley and of nearby towns in Arizona, and surrounding states for many years. It is a big part of the cultural history here. We in Tucson, have a very similar celebration, which is called the
All Souls Procession. Thousands of Tucson participants join in the ancient spiritual celebration, to exercise their creativity, by using Dia de los Muertos inspired skull masks, floats, Mexico inspired costumes and any other pieces that represent the passing of their loved ones. The "lady & man of the dead" and sugar skull masks are the most familiar images to this celebration. The sugar skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth. The creativity and design of each individual skull was used to honor a loved one. They were called sugar skulls, because they were made of a candy substance and then eaten by a relative of the family. The indigenous people of Mexico believed that death was not the end of life. Rather that the celebration of death, was the continuation of life. They did not fear death, but rather celebrated and embraced it.
You can see a lot of the Dia de los Muertos art displayed all around these days. It has become a popular form of Mexican folk art on symbols, figurines, paintings, logos, tattoos, etc. This is just a brief overview of the rich history and culture of Day of the Dead. If you are interested in a detailed outline, here is a good
website to research. If you are ever in Tucson around early November next time. Make sure to check out this celebration. It gets bigger every year, and is full of fascinating creativity and culture. One of my favorite parts of the parade is when the Mariachi's play. I just love to listen to the sweet serenade of mariachi instruments.
Here are some pictures we took before the event started. My son wanted to have his face painted like a skull! I don't have a fancy camera, so by the time the parade and Grand Finale took place. My camera was not cooperating with lighting, movement, and such! Here is the
website to the event organizers page. Hopefully, there will be some great pictures and videos posted. Our wonderful friends Jennifer and Justin, who own
The Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Park down in Bisbee, AZ were excited to come up to Tucson and see this event for the first time. We are sure glad they had a blast!
My Outfit:
*late 1940's Mexican circle skirt and matching shawl- Desert Vintage
*red Vintage Mexican blouse-thrifted
*late 1940's Vintage tooled leather belt- Razzle Dazzle Vintage
*brown 1940's Vintage tooled leather purse-Buffalo Exchange
*brown reproduction 1940's tooled leather wedges- Olvera St. in Los Angeles, CA
*late 1940's fruit basket jewelry set- from my lovely gal pal Jennifer Hayes
*a red rose placed on the side of my bottom roll
The Boys:
To represent the spirit of Mexico. I made sure they wore their guayabera's. My husband has this fabulous kelly green colored one that I found for him a few years ago. It matched the green color in my skirt! My son wore his light blue guayabera. I purchased it for him on Olvera street in Los Angeles, CA. They sported the usual pair of Levi's and black converse, that my boys are most comfortable in.
XOXO,
Syd Divine
1940's red & yellow floral print rayon dress- Buffalo Exchange 
