Day Of The Dead-Mexico

To finish October, we look at The Day Of The Dead.

The Day of the Dead has a history that seems to be lost to the shadows of time, but one of its known origins has its start with the Olmecs, a group that inhabited south and central Mexico between 1200-400 BCE. The more reliable histories are found with the Aztecs, starting around the 14^th century. They celebrated from the end of July to the beginning of August. The change to November occurred later. In the 1500’s, the Spanish were coming into Latin America, many of them Christian. They were shocked to see this culture of people who seemingly mocked death, celebrating and seemingly mocking it. While the Christians decided to slowly meld their practices with the Celts, they seemed to have wanted a complete changeover to the Latin Americans celebration. They pushed the celebration from August to November, and shortened it to two days, the 1^st and 2^nd, thus coordinating the beliefs with the Samhain/Hallows eve celebrations in northern Europe. It is interesting to see this co-ordination of the days, even though the Mexico and Europe were thousands of miles of ocean apart. In an ironic twist, the Christian faithful, in an effort to rid the world of paganism through masks, unknowingly cemented their use further into Western culture with the Halloween and Day of the Dead day unification.

The celebration takes place over three days; October 31^st is the greeting day, the day that the dead are greeted, though for some towns it is also the day of arrival of child ancestors; Nov 1^st is dedicated to past children, or in some towns, adults, and Nov 2^nd to adults and is also the day of goodbye. This day carries forth to the modern day, however it has changed in its direction from the 20^th century onward.

The Day of the Dead has its own symbol. While Halloween uses a pumpkin as its symbol, and Carnival is the mask, the skull is the symbol for Day of the Dead. The goddess that is worshipped is Catrina, who is the Lady of the Dead, or Death. Skulls are found everywhere during Day of celebrations. People wear masks of skulls or demons or Catrina to remember the dead. Parades and celebrations are held. Skulls are called Calacas, or skeletons. “Sugar Skulls” are made as offerings to ancestors. Pilgrimages to cemeteries are the norm. Going to the final resting place, people bring food, drink and memorabilia to the graves of loved ones. Children’s graves are adorned with toys; adult’s graves get offerings of tequila.

Day of the Dead has a timeline for the celebration. Although the practices may vary between towns, here is the basic 3 day timeline:

October 31^st: The return of the children happens on this evening. The path to the home is laid with toys and marigolds for the children to follow. There is a table laid with sugar skulls and tamales for the children to partake. Songs are sung and children’s activities are performed for them.

Nov 1^st: This day, depending on the location, is when some children arrive. Regardless, the day is the one the children leave. They must leave to make room for the adult spirits who will be coming that evening. Tequila is offered for the adult spirits, as well as food.

Nov 2^nd: This day the adult spirits must leave, as well as any wayward children spirits. Skull masks are worn to chase away and scare the ancestors back from where they came. The “Cleanup” begins, as well as final goodbyes and memorials in the evening.

More recently, the day seems to be evolving into a form of Halloween. Children go door to door, dressed up and asking for candy or money. It has caused a bit of a stir with the older generation, who feel that the original meaning of the day is being lost. Others argue that, like Samhain and Carnival, the day has evolved from one of practice to one of symbolism. Regardless, Day of the Dead is still a very popular time for Latin Americans and tourists alike, particularly with the parades and the celebrations.

Mask History: Mardi Gras (North America)

Mardi gras are a well known celebration in the Americas. New Orleans and Brazil are probably the most well known versions of this celebration. But how did Mardi gras become its own celebration in its own right? Although the accounts differ slightly, it’s generally believed that Mardi gras in North America first found its roots in 1699. It was celebrated on the banks of the Mississippi by the French immigrants from Europe. The French worked hard in raising a new life in a new land. It was hard work to start a new life. It is believed that the French decided to celebrate Carnival away from home, and in 1699 was done with gusto. In keeping with the pre-Lent celebrations, the French carried on the revelry from their homelands. The tradition continued until 1803, when Louisiana came under Spanish rule. Carnival stopped for about two decades, the Spanish not wishing to have the celebration. In 1823 it was allowed to resume when the Creole requested a return of the celebration. In 1827 street masking was made legal. Masking and celebration took place mainly on foot or horseback until. In that year, maskers started a parade through the city, which was the beginning of the well known parades held today. The celebration we know as Mardi gras had started in earnest. The celebration wasn’t without controversy, however. Because of violent behaviour, it was called to task by the press 1840 and 1850’s. The parties filled the streets, which sometimes led to violence, looting, and out of control celebrating. The press was quieted in 1857 when a group named Comus was organised to help organise the parade and keep behaviours in line. Comus took a serious approach to the celebration. Things like security were put into place. What were once unorganized parties, which spilled out and were uncontrollable at times, were now organized into specific zones. The parties, no less fun, were now controlled and kept in line. In 1866 the celebration halted for the duration of the civil war. In 1882, Krewe of Proteus was unveiled. The Krewes, a variation of the word ‘crew’, are groups that are responsible for the parades which would wind through the cities. In 1882, the first female group, Les Mysterieuses had its origin. This group put together a grand ball in its debut year, and have been a staple since. It was a visit by Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia that contributed to another part of Mardi gras celebrations. To celebrate his visit, Rex, or the king of the Carnival, was introduced. Rex and Comus became the king and queen of carnival. It was during this time that he became the symbol of Mardi gras, and picked the colours of purple, gold and green as the official colours. The first daytime parade was held this year as well. It was interrupted again in 1918 for World War One, and 1940 for World War Two. In 1950, more royalty paid tribute to Mardi gras. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor visited and paid tribute to Rex and Comus, bowing before them and their make believe kingdom. Mardi gras has continued to the present day celebration, with variations, into Rio, Mobile, Alabama, Sao Paulo, and Nice, France. Venice, of course, still has Carnival. Although essentially a twin child to Carnival, it has developed its own personality in the Americas. In the latter half of the 20^th century, the celebration has opened up to be a larger celebration to all. Now the day is essentially seen as a tourist holiday, and a time for drinking and revelry. Both orthodox and Catholic tend to have very little to do with the day now, as they feel it is simply an excuse for excess, and not in holding with the significance of the following holy ritual days. Mardi gras’ scope of celebration did fall in the mid 1990’s, as economics and politics scaled down the celebration. The celebrations still continue, but in New Orleans tend mainly to be held in the historic and main districts of New Orleans, with the emphasis more on partying and celebrating-with or without masks, than ritual.

Halloween companies: Ben Cooper, Cesar, and Collegville

Today we will take a closer look at Halloween, from the 50's and Onward. As stated in the previous part, PVC really was a turning point for Halloween in the Western World. PVC-or Polyvinyl Chloride, is really essentially a type of plastic. Now PVC was discovered in the late 19th century, however it really wasn't found as being useful until the 2oth century. There were a few PVC masks around the turn of the century, but not really that popular.

Ben Cooper would change that. Ben Cooper was born in New York around the turn of the 20th century. Though his father worked in business, Ben found himself leaning towards the arts. He would eventually find work on Broadway making costumes and props for various productions. It was during this time that he found the use of PVC, and useing presses with the warm plastic, he could stamp out would would become a Halloween staple. Matched up with a plastic smock, Ben Cooper eventually founded Ben Cooper Inc, and would end up putting affordable halloween costumes on the store racks. Earlier models were restrained to princesses and witches for girls, montsters for boys. But as time went on, so did the variety; the 50's and 60's saw television into Americas homes, and girls found themselves able to be anything from Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke to Morticia Addams of the Addams family. Boys became televison cowboys, Batman, or any number of monsters. With the feature films now booming, Horror monsters, Wizard of Oz, and any number of film characters came to the store racks. When the US space program started putting people into space, boys and girls could be astronauts.

Collegeville has a murky history at best. We know they were founded around the same time as Ben Cooper, in Collegeville Pennsylvania. They were acquired by Rubie's Costume company, paired with Imagineering costumes. They too used PVC masks. Their smocks tended to look like an actual character outfit, vs Ben Cooper which often had the name of the character splashed across it with no real sense of "realism"

Moving on into the 80's and forward, Cesar, a French costume and party supply company, started entering the mask business. However, instead of using PVC, they used a different compound of Vinyl, a more rubber-type substance. They were able to create full head masks, often with rooted hair, giving more realism. While Ben Cooper and Collegeville had the odd political figure, like Jackie and John F Kennedy (many of which had to be destroyed after Kennedy's assination in 1963)-Cesar would become prominent for its political masks, particularly US presidents Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Sr and Junior, and more recently Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. First Ladies also were getting likenesses-Barbara and Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. Even other significant faces were portrayed: Condelizza Rice, Sect of State, Sarah Palin, Vice President Candidate-as well as Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher. These masks were geared to an older audience, and political masks are often a predictor of an election win at election time.

Vinyl and Latex masks require more work than their PVC siblings. Creating a head out of clay or similar material, the head is wrapped in plaster bandages/covered in plaster. The mold, when hardened, is removed as two pieces, a front and back piece. The mold hardens, then is re-attached and liquid vinyl/latex (and more currently silicone)is poured into the mold just enough to cover and thicken. When it hardens, the mask can be pulled out and painted, and haired rooted if necessary.

So, we can see just as an overview that halloween masks have changed quite dramatically in a century. In our next part, we will start a look towards Mardi Gras-and how it has risen in North America from a small celebration of Lent into a full blown party of it's own right.

Mask History: Halloween Origins

Around 2000 BCE, the Celts in Europe were using masks as part of pagan rituals. The Celts were various tribal groups who lived during the Iron Age in Europe (1200 BCE-400 CE). The Celts had many rituals they celebrated over the course of the year, often coinciding with various seasonal transitions. The Celts celebrated, among other rituals, Samhain, the forerunner to modern day Halloween. During this time they celebrated their new year, which began on October 31, with Samhain. The fall was considered the end of the old year, with the winter time beginning the year anew. It was a time of remembering the old year, bringing in the new; not very much different from North American New Year celebrations. During this festival, the celebration of past ancestors comes heavily into play. While remembering and trying to communicate with those passed on, masks were predominant during this time. Heads of animals and other handmade masks were there to help ward away the evil spirits which could interfere with the communication with the ancestors. It was probably believed that wearing the animal heads also allowed them to stay in touch with nature, possibly trying to channel animal spirits. The connection with nature as well as with ancestors was an important rite with the Celts. There were bonfires, feasting and celebrations. Sacrifices were common during this time as well. We know of animal sacrifices, as well as the possibility of humans as well. This celebration was a combination of the celebration of the New Year and the celebration of their past ancestors.. These days were celebrated with masks of animals and spirits in their rituals. Masks would be used, depending on the celebration, to invite, drive away, celebrate, or give offerings in their various rituals.

Thiis practice continued until around 43 CE (Common Era), when Romans invaded and conquered most of the Celtic lands. As is with conquering armies, the Romans brought over their own traditions. Not wanting to totally eliminate the beliefs, for they were still needed to “convert” the Celts, instead, the name and direction of ritual was changed.

In 19^th century North America and Europe-the beginnings of the modern Halloween were starting to take form. As the immigrants came from Europe, and particularly the United Kingdom, they were were looking for a fresh start. However, they still had their Samhain rituals as well as collection of Christian rituals as a result the celebration was brought with them, with small changes. Although a new start was wanted, they still wanted to remember their roots. “Hallows eve” became Halloween. “All Saints Day” would eventually become a symbolic day, and “All Souls Day” was effectively dropped. Over time the strictness of the Christianity fell off. In fact, many modern Conservative Christians stopped having anything to do with the day, believing it is more prone to evil. The day would slowly evolve into modern day Halloween. Candy replaced soul bread. The idea of offering to the past ancestors is now replaced by kids making the offerings to themselves (with some wits suggesting now that the Dentist is the new offering deity).

Masks of the early part of the 20'th century tended to be cloth or paper masks. Because even at this point Halloween was the full merchandising holiday it is now. You dressed up and got candy door to door, most costumes being hand made.

In the 19430s the selling of Halloween as a holiday took a dramatic step. Ben Cooper started introducing a line of masks made of PVC, a form of plastic. Ben Cooper was born in lower New York in 1906. Although his father was a resturanteur, he was of more artistic bent, and found his way to founding Ben Cooper Inc. He created masks and costumes for the theatre set in New York. As live theatre dwindled due to the depression int eh 30's, Halloween took off as a lower cost alternative. He obtained licences with Disney among others and created his now famous mask and smock combination.These molded masks, in the shapes anything from monsters to princesses, were released with a decorative smock worn by the child. Now, costumes could be bought of the racks for rather affordable prices. From 1940 onward, his contribution along with other companies like Collegeville, made Halloween a merchandise dream with costumes and masks flowing off the racks of department stores.

Through the 60's and 70's the PVC masks held strong with more and more characters. In the 80's Cesar, a french mask and party company, began releasing Latex masks. Full headed and more "realistic" than than their PVC counterparts-latex would become the defacto material for halloween and costume mask making, and that continues to this day.

The masks have changed as well. What used to be animals and spirits has evolved. Halloween masks can be anything now, including animals, monsters, spirits, movie characters, celebrities, and sports heroes. Kids will dress up as the latest movie or cartoon hero. Adults also celebrate the day, going to Halloween parties dressing up in anything from modern celebrities to horror characters. Even politician masks are huge sellers, with a mythology that the most popular mask at an Election time will determine the outcome of the election (with surprisingly accurate results). For those who are parents taking the little ones out instead of going to parties, they too will dress up on the day, keeping in spirit of the day. From remembering the dead to devouring candy, Halloween and masks have evolved-from carved masks and animal heads, to modern day latex.

Continuing with the Halloween theme, we will loook more closely at Ben Cooper, Collegeville, Cesar, and other mask makers-and look more into how technology changed the masks we wear.

Mask History Part 7

The mention of Mardi gras and Carnival brings images of parades, masks and pageantry. These celebrations both stem from the same root: the celebration before Lent. Carnival is mainly associated with Venice and Europe, whereas Mardi Gras is associated with New Orleans and the Americas (even though they are one and the same). Like Halloween, these celebrations and their meanings have changed with time.

The word ‘Carnival’ actual derives its name from the phrase carnem levare, ‘to put away meat’. In many Mediterranean cities, the holiday stems from agriculture, celebrations of Dionysus and other gods of harvest. The celebrations were of ritual, of masks and dancing, celebrating the upcoming year for harvest and thanks for the previous. As Christianity rose, the rituals would die down. The Christians still wanted to convert the people, so, like Hallows Eve, festivals were held, including “Feast of Fools” and “Feast of the Innocent”, which were variations on previous pagan celebrations. These were held between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. Fancy dress balls and Masquerades were very popular during time and these would carry forward. Each city has tailored their own celebrations since then.

The path to the well known Venice Carnival starts in 1094. The earliest reference to it is in a charter written by Doge Vitale Michael. He makes reference to ‘carnis laxatio’, or ‘forsaking of the flesh’. The indication is even at this time in history; the Venetians were finding were very wealthy and constantly looking for diversions and entertainment. In 1162, The Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulhico attacked the town of Grado with twelve armies from various towns. The people ran over the city

and took it over in short order. The Venetians , under Doge Vitale Michael grouped and gathered an armada of ships. With troops and ships, Doge recaptured Grado and defeated Ulhico. Doge captured Ulhico and many of his army. Instead of killing them, they spared their lives and sent them out of the town. Although this seems like mercy, it was not without a price. In return for their lives being spared, Ulhico was obligated to send a bull(it ended up being an ox) and 10 pigs each year to symbolise the defeated army. In a form of great pageantry, every year the ox and pigs, the “prisoners”, were marched like the condemned through the streets, with the crowds watching. The pigs and ox were “executed” by a town butcher picked for that year, and the meat would feed the festival which followed. The celebration was allowed in San Marco square, where Carnival finds its roots.

In 13^th century Europe and Venice, masks were coming into use in lent related celebrations. Lent is the Catholic ritual that involves the abstinence of a vice for a period of 40 days. The forty days were symbolic of the forty days Jesus was said to have wandered the desert until he found his ministry. Therefore, the celebration

would allow drinking, sex or other vice, before settling down for forty days. Masks meant you remained anonymous during these celebrations, and would not be held against you at later times. Masks also meant that the “higher” classes could associate with the “lower”, thus making an equal social ground. Eventually there had to be some restrictions, in the form of laws. The first written example of masks in any capacity during this time is from a law in 1268. It pertains to masqueraders being forbidden from playing a game called “eggs”, a game in which Venetian boys would throw perfumed eggs at passerby or from balconies. During this period, Carnival would start on St. Stephens Day (December 26) and continue to Ash Wednesday. The Tuesday before is known as Shrove Tuesday, also known as “Fat Tuesday”, or Mardi gras? This proceeded Ash Wednesday, the day before Lent. Different countries celebrate differently, some use the whole time between New Year and Lent as Carnival, others like Venice had a slow ramp up, with the last two days being the pinnacle of the celebrations. In 1339, law was introduced of masqueraders being prevented from being on city streets at night. In 1458 male mask wearers were forbidden to dress as women and enter convents to partake in less than “pure” social relations. There seemed to be a problem with inappropriate activities with nuns. And in 1608 mask wearers were finally told in law that they were obligated to wear masks only during carnival and official banquets. The question may be what type of punishment awaited those who wore their masks flagrantly? Quite severe it seems. Breaking one these laws would see a man sent to two years in prison, or eighteen months of rowing servitude (rowing in slave ships). Women who broke the rules were whipped. Having a mask did not give you free reign to do what you wished. Coming back to Carnival itself, there were spectacles to see. There were different sections of town with different activities. In one section would be a human pyramid and other feats of strength. There was a masked ballet performed by women in another. A bloody bull beheading contributed to the sacrificial aspect of Carnival. The highlight of the carnival was the “Dove Flight”. A rope was strung from the bell tower to Doge place. A condemned that was chosen prisoner would walk this rope. If he made it to the end, he was given gifts and his freedom. The only other alternative was to fall to his death. Over time this was replaced with a metal dove that slung down the rope to Doge place. Eventually the practice was returned with an “Angel Flight”, which has a supported performer now resuming the symbolic trip.

The celebrations continued, though even the celebrations seemed to be getting carried away. Violence and out of control rowdiness brought things to a close. The Carnival in Venice was stopped in 1797, which is surprising considering that it survived through the days of Enlightenment where the rest of Europe was asked to put down mask use and theatre. For almost two hundred years there was no Carnival in Venice, though other countries continued the tradition. Finally, in 1979 the Carnival as we know it in Venice was allowed again to resume. It was resumed not only to remember the previous history, but tourism played a big part in the return of the celebration as well. Carnival would be a great time to bring the tourism

that was coming into the country into play. To this day, Carnival is a major tourist destination every year, in Venice and elsewhere. With parades and fantastic costumes and masks, Carnival is one of the world’s biggest parties. The other name for Carnival, Mardi gras, while essentially the same, has its history across the Atlantic.

Mardi gras are a well known celebration in the Americas. New Orleans and Brazil are probably the most well known versions of this celebration. But how did Mardi gras become its own celebration in its own right? Although the accounts differ slightly, it’s generally believed that Mardi gras in North America first found its roots in 1699. It was celebrated on the banks of the Mississippi by the French immigrants from Europe. The French worked hard in raising a new life in a new land. It was hard work to start a new life. It is believed that the French decided to celebrate Carnival away from home, and in 1699 was done with gusto. In keeping with the pre-Lent celebrations, the French carried on the revelry from their homelands. The tradition continued until 1803, when Louisiana came under Spanish rule. Carnival stopped for about two decades, the Spanish not wishing to have the celebration. In 1823 it was allowed to resume when the Creole requested a return of the celebration. In 1827 street masking was made legal. Masking and celebration took place mainly on foot or horseback until. In that year, maskers started a parade through the city, which was the beginning of the well known parades held today. The celebration we know as Mardi gras had started in earnest. The celebration wasn’t without controversy, however. Because of violent behaviour, it was called to task by the press 1840 and 1850’s. The parties filled the streets, which sometimes led to violence, looting, and out of control celebrating. The press was quieted in 1857 when a group named Comus was organised to help organise the parade and keep behaviours in line. Comus took a serious approach to the celebration. Things like security were put into place. What were once unorganized parties, which spilled out and were uncontrollable at times, were now organized into specific zones. The parties, no less fun, were now controlled and kept in line. In 1866 the celebration halted for the duration of the civil war. In 1882, Krewe of Proteus was unveiled. The Krewes, a variation of the word ‘crew’, are groups that are responsible for the parades which would wind through the cities. In 1882, the first female group, Les Mysterieuses had its origin. This group put together a grand ball in its debut year, and have been a staple since. It was a visit by Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia that contributed to another part of Mardi gras celebrations. To celebrate his visit, Rex, or the king of the Carnival, was introduced. Rex and Comus became the king and queen of carnival. It was during this time that he became the symbol of Mardi gras, and picked the colours of purple, gold and green as the official colours. The first daytime parade was held this year as well. It was interrupted again in 1918 for World War One, and 1940 for World War Two. In 1950, more royalty paid tribute to Mardi gras. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor visited and paid tribute to Rex and Comus, bowing before them and their make believe kingdom. Mardi gras has continued to the present day celebration, with variations, into Rio, Mobile, Alabama, Sao Paulo, and Nice, France. Venice, of course, still has Carnival. Although essentially a twin child to Carnival, it has developed its own personality in the Americas. In the latter half of the 20^th century, the celebration has opened up to be a larger celebration to all. Now the day is essentially seen as a tourist holiday, and a time for drinking and revelry. Both orthodox and Catholic tend to have very little to do with the day now, as they feel it is simply an excuse for excess, and not in holding with the significance of the following holy ritual days. Mardi gras’ scope of celebration did fall in the mid 1990’s, as economics and politics scaled down the celebration. The celebrations still continue, but in New Orleans tend mainly to be held in the historic and main districts of New Orleans, with the emphasis more on partying and celebrating-with or without masks, than ritual.

So as we wrap up our general history timeline of masking, next time we shall go into more detal. It being October, we shall look more closely at the origins of Halloween, and how the day turned from one of a pagan celebration, to our current celebration, and what the future of the celebration holds.