 | Santa Fe has celebrated Las Fiestas de Santa Fe since 1712, making it the oldest civic celebration of its kind in North America. It began as a religious celebration to celebrate the reconquest of New Mexico after the Pueblo Revolt. This year, the Fiesta runs from September 2-11th. |
Since 1924, the Fiesta has begun with the burning of Zozobra, a gigantic boogey-man puppet. Zozobra, which is Spanish for 'the gloomy one,' was originally created by Will Shuster, an artist who thought the Fiesta, was far too serious and solemn. Inspired by Mexico's Yaqui Indians, who burn an effigy of Judas every year during Holy Week, Shuster created a 20-foot-tall puppet, stuffed him with fireworks, and set him ablaze in his own backyard. He and his friends were so pleased that they repeated the performance the next year. A tradition was born.
Even though Shuster continued to create Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom, every year, the effigy didn't always look identical. During World War Two, Zozobra took on a distinctly Asian look, with slanting eyes and round spectacles. Other times, he had sharp teeth and pointed ears, giving him a vampirish appearance. In 1964, Shuster handed over his plans and his rights to the Kiwanis Club, who has kept the tradition going ever since. It has become not only a favorite event, but the major fundraiser for the Club.
I have only seen Zozobra burn once, in the early 1970s. Back then, the crowd was unruly, with lots of drunkeness and brawls breaking out among motorcycle gangs. Since then, the crowds have become much larger, but better behaved.
Have you ever been to Zozobra, or is there a similar tradition in your area? I'd love to hear your stories.
This year's Zozobra is over 50 feet tall. He will go up in flames on the evening of Friday, September 2nd, at Fort Marcy Park.
Even though Shuster continued to create Zozobra, or Old Man Gloom, every year, the effigy didn't always look identical. During World War Two, Zozobra took on a distinctly Asian look, with slanting eyes and round spectacles. Other times, he had sharp teeth and pointed ears, giving him a vampirish appearance. In 1964, Shuster handed over his plans and his rights to the Kiwanis Club, who has kept the tradition going ever since. It has become not only a favorite event, but the major fundraiser for the Club.
I have only seen Zozobra burn once, in the early 1970s. Back then, the crowd was unruly, with lots of drunkeness and brawls breaking out among motorcycle gangs. Since then, the crowds have become much larger, but better behaved.
Have you ever been to Zozobra, or is there a similar tradition in your area? I'd love to hear your stories.
This year's Zozobra is over 50 feet tall. He will go up in flames on the evening of Friday, September 2nd, at Fort Marcy Park.
"Zozobra is a hideous but harmless fifty-foot bogeyman marionette. He is a toothless, empty-headed facade. He has no guts and doesn't have a leg to stand on. He is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. He never wins. He moans and groans, rolls his eyes and twists his head. His mouth gapes and chomps. His arms flail about in frustration. Every year we do him in. We string him up and burn him down in a blaze of fireworks. At last, he is gone, taking with him all our troubles for another whole year. Santa Fe celebrates another victory. Viva la Fiesta!" - A.W. Denninger
