Culture

The Heartfelt Essence of Día de los Muertos

Before it became another excuse to peddle products, complete with Jean Paul Gaultier hawking perfumes to his Mexican audience, Nike co-opting its aesthetics to push overpriced sneakers, and even Mattel rolling out a Dia de Los Muertos Barbie the Day of the Dead was a tapestry of diverse traditions across Mexico, with each region weaving its distinctive customs into this sacred celebration.

El Día De Los Muertos is heartfelt homage to those who have departed, centering around crafting vibrant altars covered with photographs of loved ones.

Towards the end of October, Mexican households assemble altars to pay homage to their deceased kin. This ritual extends into the early days of November. Altars are graced with the traditional ‘bread of the dead’, confections, colorful paper cutouts, fruits, sugar skulls, water symbolizing a profound journey, marigold flowers, and a host of other offerings, including items dear to the departed in their earthly existence. Candles are also kindled to illuminate their path. The finishing touches often encompass "papel china" in a spectrum of hues, predominantly in shades of orange, purple, and black.

To delve deeper into the rich traditions of Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, Vogue.mx offers a captivating regional exploration by Karina González Ulloa, shedding light on the diverse customs observed across the nation.

What You Don’t Know About La Catrina

Her macabre and graceful appearance inspires statues and makeup looks, and while many people are familiar with her image, many are unaware of her origins or symbolism.  

The enigmatic figure of La Calavera Catrina, or simply La Catrina, reigns as an unmistakable icon and embodiment of femininity over the festivities of the Dia de Los Muertos. But don't be deceived by her macabre elegance, for there's much more to this iconic lady than initially meets the eye.  

Before the emergence of La Catrina, there was a goddess of death named Mictēcacihuātl who was worshiped by the Aztecs. It’s believed the deity was sacrificed when she was just a baby, matured in the underworld, and married.

She guarded the realm of the afterlife with her husband, Miclantecuhtl. Together, they collected the bones of the deceased to give to the other gods so that the dead could be brought back to life and create new races. The Aztecs revered Mictēcacihuātl and historians have discovered they held a special month-long celebration in her honor that possibly included rituals, music, and blood sacrifice. 

Read more at HipLatina  

Music

Bad Bunny, "SNL" and the Normalization of Spanish in American Pop Culture

He sings only in Spanish, and he achieved his trifecta of No. 1s with Spanish-only albums, something no one has ever done before. That alone is noteworthy. But seeing Bad Bunny (or Benito, his real name, and the name he increasingly goes by publicly, including on the cover of his new album) host Saturday Night Live (SNL) largely in Spanish took things to a whole other level. Billboard.

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Culture

World's Largest Mezcal Archive Opens in Oxaca

Mezcal has emerged as a highly sought-after libation, not only within the borders of Mexico but also internationally. This growing popularity has led to more people extolling its virtues and experimenting with it in various cocktails and presentations. For those with a penchant for this distinct spirit, a true gem awaits in Oaxaca: the Mezcal Cultural Center, home to the world's largest mezcal archive.

At the Mezcal Cultural Center, a permanent exhibition offers a detailed look into the production processes of various types of mezcal, including industrial, artisanal, and ancestral.

Visitors can explore the different types of agave, their regions of origin in Oaxaca, and the unique flavours associated with each expression during the tour of five rooms.

The experience provides people with detailed information about the beverage and an opportunity to taste it properly. It creates an interactive experience using infographics, videos, games, and other installations that guide you from the agave harvest to the final liquid product.

To read the full story visit The Happening.  

Culture

Grandma's Gold Rings Aren't Just an Aesthetic— For Latinos, They're a Culture

In the realm of heirlooms, traditional treasures like gold rosaries, birthing quilts, wedding-day silverware, and tarnished silver rings possess a unique charm reminiscent of the gems you might unearth at a Brooklyn flea market.

Yet, for Latinos, these objects carry a value far deeper than that of a four-figure watch or a vintage designer handbag dutifully handed down through the generations. 

My grandmother grappled with a particular anxiety – the need to ensure that the heirlooms passed along were composed of precious materials like gold and gemstones, items that would forever retain their worth. Acosta's reflections bring to mind a certain cigar band, adorned with her name, reminiscent of something one might associate with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor.

To read more visit Who What Wear  

Books

Underground Reading: Drainages by Diego Rodríguez Landeros

To all lovers of everything underground, including drains and pipelines:

"For a year, I lived in a room in the Escandón neighbourhood, whose window faced the intersection of Patriotismo Avenue and Viaducto Miguel Alemán. Waking up in the early mornings, for a few seconds, I confused the hum of traffic with the soothing sound of flowing water.

"Once I found out, I began further investigating the city's hidden waterways. I visited the Dinamos to see the Magdalena River—the last living river in the metropolis—went to Conagua's archive in search of maps, and cycled along the Canal Nacional."

This article by Caroline Tracey suggests that we delve into the underground rivers flowing beneath the major avenues of Mexico City and its history through the latest book by Diego Rodríguez Landeros: Drenajes a book that allows us to explore the Valley of Mexico's basin from its hidden channels.

Read more: Cultura y Vida Cotidiana  

Fashion

InVogue: Vogue Brazil's Debut Book Celebrates 52 Influential Women in Brazilian Fashion

What do the 52 Brazilian characters from "InVogue," the first book of Vogue Brazil, have in common?

They come from different generations and backgrounds but are connected through their early fashion influences. Each carries memories linked to what many Brazilian women understand as a common denominator. For example, how many of them were inspired by the looks of iconic children's entertainer Xuxa?

Take Carol Ribeiro, Deborah Secco, and Silvia Braz, who dreamed of the TV presenter's white boots.

Meanwhile, Camila Queiroz and Duda Beat were fans of the British group Spice Girls. Lucy Alves and Cleo are among those who found precious pieces in their father's wardrobe.

Best part? You can get this book for free right here!

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