Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond

Portada
John Wiley & Sons, 4 de febr. 2009 - 240 pàgines
Each October, as the Day of the Dead draws near, Mexican markets overflow with decorated breads, fanciful paper cutouts, and whimsical toy skulls and skeletons. To honor deceased relatives, Mexicans decorate graves and erect home altars. Drawing on a rich array of historical and ethnographic evidence, this volume reveals the origin and changing character of this celebrated holiday. It explores the emergence of the Day of the Dead as a symbol of Mexican and Mexican-American national identity.

Skulls to the Living, Bread to the Dead poses a serious challenge to the widespread stereotype of the morbid Mexican, unafraid of death, and obsessed with dying. In fact, the Day of the Dead, as shown here, is a powerful affirmation of life and creativity. Beautifully illustrated, this book is essential for anyone interested in Mexican culture, art, and folklore, as well as contemporary globalization and identity formation.

Des de l'interior del llibre

Continguts

1 THE DAY OF THE DEAD PROBLEMS AND PARADOXES
3
PART 2 HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS
17
2 THE SWEETNESS OF DEATH
19
3 SKULLS AND SKELETONS
43
PART 3 CONTEMPORARY TRANSFORMATIONS
67
4 TOURISM AND THE STATE
69
5 THE POETICS OF DEATH
93
6 THE DAY OF THE DEAD AND HALLOWEEN
117
7 TEACHING THE DAY OF THE DEAD
133
8 CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY
154
PART 5 CONCLUSION
179
9 MEXICAN VIEWS OF DEATH
181
REFERENCES
195
INDEX
211
Colour Plates
221
Copyright

PART 4 NORTH OF THE BORDER
131

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Sobre l'autor (2009)


Stanley Brandes received his PhD in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, where he has taught since 1974. He is the author of numerous publications on religion, society, and culture in Spain and Mexico, including, most recently, Staying Sober in Mexico City (2002).

Informació bibliogràfica