THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: HALLOWEEN AND DAY OF THE DEAD! LUIS TORRES ON THE CHICANADA AND DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, AMALIA MESA-BAINS ON THE MEANING OF DAY OF THE DEAD, JOSÉ UMPIERRE WITH EL ASUNTO NO ES NUEVO AND RICARDO ROMO ON THE ART OF JOAO QUIROZ.
This week all of America celebrates Halloween but in our Latino barrios we all know it’s really all about Dia de los Muertos. Both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos acknowledge the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead. Halloween goes back to Ireland where the samhain (pronounced sah-win) marked the Celtic new year with the end of summer and the end of the harvest season. It was celebrated in Ireland with jack-o-lanterns carved out of turnips. When the Irish immigrated to the US they started carving pumpkins instead. But in the Americas, Day of the Dead goes back to ancient beliefs when we remember our ancestors who have passed. Luis Torres explains all this in his article Chicanada and Dia de los Muertos.
Also this week, we reprise an interview with Chicana scholar and installation artist Amalia Mesa-Bains who gives us insight into the origins of Day of the Dead and its continuing significance today. As they say, get smarter and check out the Torres blog and Amalia Mesa-Bains video.
Also this week, José Umpierre, our steadfast Zocotroco, returns with his Burundanga Boricua blog This week he looks at the sad fact that while the issue is not new, the fact of how our national government continues to be driven by economic goals at the expense of the Puertorican people. As usual, Umpierre talks truth to power.
And lastly, Ricardo Romo returns with his Tejano Report. This week he looks at the fabulous art work of Mexican artist Joao Quiroz who has found now inspiration as he discovers his new home in San Antonio, Texas.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia and watch out for el cucuy!
Tia Tenopia