Reflections
It all started with a blog about death, mourning, and culture. Read the original articles.
COMMUNING WITH THE DEAD: THE BLESSING OF THE ÑATITAS
La Paz, Bolivia, November 8th, a stream of Bolivians rush hurriedly into the Cemetery General church looking for blessings. However, these are no ordinary blessings. This congregation carries in hand human skulls. Today is the Fiesta de las ñatitas.
MEET YOU AT THE CEMETERY GATES: SAN JOSE CEMENTERIO
A couple of weeks ago while running errands I found myself driving some backroads I don't take on my normal route. Out in Montopolis, southeast of the center Austin, TX, I passed some unconventional cemetery gates which framed some severely overgrown grounds. Remnants of last year's Dia De Los Muertos still apparent from the dried marigolds strewn from it's gate. I had to find out more about San Jose Cementerio.
THE LOST CRAFT OF VICTORIAN HAIR ART
The Victorian era (from 1837 to 1901) was a time when people were surrounded by death. Many families were forced to confront death directly whether it was because of the lack of medical advances, the mourning of Prince Albert by Queen Victoria (the queen after which the era was name) 40 years after his death until her own, or the Civil War that was being waged in America where over 620,000 soldiers lost their lives. This period is unique since we see such a strong development of mourning culture. Many of the historical tales I'll share on this blog took place at this time, but today I'm going to focus on Victorian hair art.