The Last time I saw Zozobra Burn

The Last time I saw Zozobra Burn

The last time I saw the Zozobra burn was back in the early part of 2000 – 2001. I remember we were in Santa Fe to do some shopping and we learned it was time again for the monster to be taken down and burned as the tradition requires it to be lit up and set ablaze to satisfy the myths, the folklore and the tales told how this monster was created, celebrated and finally defeated. 

As the hour of doom nears and the restless crowd begins to stir and make noise, the hours of waiting to see the figure of Old Man Gloom light up is near. A yearly tradition it has long been one of my favorite events in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

Having seen this ritual that must be hundreds years old and traditionally held every late August early September of the year for many years, I was impressed with the effort and creativity put into this festival just to please the crowd and create some excitement in the Fort Marcy complex near the Old Town Plaza. 

I must also say this monster has evolved into an elaborate scientific work of art as the details of the figure have been enhanced and the manner it moves, breathes fire and growls amplified to get a great growling effect for the spectators especially the children. 

For years I never understood the purpose of the activity until one day I read about the story or legend behind the feast and how it was created to bring joy and happiness to this town and wipe out all the gloom and associated despair as it burned down with the fire spirit dancing spiritually around him. 

Old Man Gloom first appeared as a six-foot puppet, but the Zozobra figure has since grown to be over 50 feet tall. Made of muslin and stuffed with shredded paper, Zozobra is an eerie, groaning, flailing character, who looks to be part ghost and part monster.

Amid fireworks and the ceremonial dances of ghosts and fire, Zozobra is set ablaze by torches. As Old Man Gloom burns, it is said that with him go the feelings of gloom and doom from the past year. The sound of the groaning Zozobra can be heard throughout the city and for miles around.

Zozobra has a menacing roar via the loudspeakers that carry his voice and as he waves his arms frantically he threatens the crowd with his menacing growls causing children to pay attention and adults look the seriously flailing while on fire monster in the eyes. 

When the flames at the base of the figure being to rise and roar, a red-clad figure of the Fire Spirit comes into view and dances wildly and uncontrollably up and down the steps of the platform that hold the gigantic monster in place. 

His screams  are agonizing to the ears of the spectators and tells everybody they have been freed from their suffering and their woe as tradition tells it, sets the bad things free and the good things appear. There is an old saying that if you don’t burn Old Man Gloom the aspens might not turn their autumn yellow on the mountains and winter would surely bring gloom and doom. …