Meet My Friend, Catrina

Catrina

When I first started traveling to Mexico I was enchanted with folk art. It was gorgeous, bright and vibrant. My first purchase was a beautiful earthy nativity set. Later I bought fantastical, brightly painted animals. Then I bought my first Catrina figure.  Catrinas, sometimes also called calaveras, are elegantly dressed skeleton women. Originally Jose Posada’s social commentary on the elite upper class, the Catrina has become the face of Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The first time I saw Catrinas in a shop I knew I had to have one. My first one was about 2 1/2 feet tall. I wrapped her in bubble wrap and newspaper and carried that her like a baby on all three flights home. Then it snowballed. Now I have at least 30 figures, probably more.

They’re not your everyday collector’s item. They’re not shot glasses, spoons or Precious Moments figurines. What do people think of my Catrinas when they walk into our home for the first time? I’m not sure. I hope they see fabulous folk art. I suspect more than a few cable technicians and repairmen have done a double take, worked extra fast and gotten the heck out of there.

What I see when I look at my Catrinas is every trip to Mexico and every little artisan shop I’ve stopped in (my favorite is in Mérida right in the Zócalo). I see history, art, culture, reminders of great family visits, loved ones passed on, culture and art. Simply put, I see beauty.

Not Your Mother’s Spoon Collection

Día de los Muertos is the perfect day to write about my Catrinas, but I don’t just put them out for the holiday like we put out ornaments for Christmas. I have them out on display in our home 24/7. I struggled with what to do with them once P was born. When I was pregnant someone told me “You know you’ll have to get rid of those now that you’re having a baby.” I thought, “Whatever” and I didn’t give it another thought…or so I thought.  As my son grew older and started having friends over I started to question my collection. Would his friends be scared to come over? Would their parents think we were devil worshipers? This is the Midwest, not New York City. Most living rooms in Wisconsin feature family portraits, house plants and decorative lamps, not skulls and skeletons. 

All that worry was for nothing (as usual). No one ever said anything. I don’t think P’s friends even noticed there was anything on the walls much less something potentially scary. While my Catrinas aren’t your typical collection item, they’re mine and they’re a daily reminder to remember those who have passed before us. Tonight we’ll read Rosita y Conchita and make an ofrenda while sitting in our living room surrounded by Catrinas. They accent today’s holiday, but they make every day Día de los Muertos at our house. 

 How about you? Do yo have any unusual collections? Leave a comment and tell us about it!