The Ofrenda is a powerful sacred space because it is not only created with the heart and mind of the altar maker, but it also reflects the heart and soul of the one being honored. Thus, the altar itself is an Ofrenda-a central element in the Day of the Dead tradition. Among these are photographs, flowers, food, and a variety of mementos and other chosen artifacts that reflect the life and spirit of the one(s) who are being remembered. It is composed of several main elements and offerings. In Mexico, it refers to a home altar installed to honor the memory of a deceased loved one for Día de Los Muertos. Recuerdos Que Nunca Mueren (Remembrances that Never Die) (6’x16’x 5” deep), 2019, by Rosanna Esparza and Ofelia Esparza, Central Library, Whittier, CA. The tissue paper marigold arch is the only three-dimensional part of this installation in the children’s section of the Whittier Central library. This two-dimensional altar was constructed entirely of paper with hand-painted watercolor images mounted on a wall. This is manifested in the Day of the Dead altars and other practices throughout Mexico. Over the expanse of the last 700 years, Catholicism as practiced by a great many in Mexico, became a meld of Christian and Indigenous religious beliefs and practices. While many thousands converted to the new religion, many thousands kept their deep-rooted rituals and observances related to their devout, ancient relationship with nature and the cosmos-under the guise of Catholicism. The Europeans succeeded in the first two, but only almost succeeded in the latter. They also drove to subjugate the Indigenous people and to eradicate their religion and culture, replacing it with Christianity. The Spanish who conquered Mexico in 1519 came with the intention of reaping the rich resources of this land, especially gold. Today, this custom of honoring ancestors that dates back more than 3,000 years to Pre-Columbian early Indigenous Mexico, has transcended time and history. Altar for Our Dreamers (22’x5’x9’), 2018, by Ofelia Esparza and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens, Rio Hondo College. This photo was taken before the Rio Hondo students were able to add their own personal mementos and notes to the Ofrenda. This altar was dedicated to the Rio Hondo College “Dreamer” students and their immigrant families living in fear of deportation and during the height of the family separations at the border detention centers in 2018. The Day of the Dead celebration in East L.A. Bueno and Ibanez recalled Día de Los Muertos in their town in Mexico and how it was rooted in tradition, ceremony, ancestors, altars/ofrendas, and art that engaged the entire community. The artists wanted to create a project that brought unity, healing, and empowerment to the Chicano community by reclaiming its cultural self-identity and connecting the strong, positive values and cultural assets in place for generations. The Chicano community had just experienced a tragic, heavy-handed response from the East Los Angeles sheriffs at a peaceful demonstration against the Vietnam War and long-standing grievances of inequalities in education and representation. It was a time of great social upheaval throughout the nation. It was introduced to the East Los Angeles Community in 1973 by a progressive Catholic nun, Sister Karen Bocalerro, and two Mexican artists, Carlos Bueno and Antonio Ibanez, at Self Help Graphics & Art, a community-based art center in East Los Angeles. It was known only as the holy days, November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day) in the Catholic Church calendar, certainly not as days of festive color and celebration. In 1973 Day of the Dead was never observed in the United States like in Mexico and was unheard of among many in my U.S.-born, California-based Chicano community. But the third, the most horrible, most dreaded death of all, IS TO BE FORGOTTEN.” Our second death is the day we are buried, never to be seen on the face of the Earth again. The first death is the day that we give up our last breath, the day that we die. I always carry my mother’s words with me, and I share them with everyone I teach about Día de Los Muertos. The altar Mictlan Sur honors Sister Karen Bocalerro (20’x12’x14’), 2000, by Ofelia Esparza, Self Help Graphics & Art, East Los Angeles, CA.
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