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. …
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