Miniature guitar-playing mariachi figure, from Mexican Day of the Dead festival

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This figure is one of a range of items made for the Mexican Day of the Dead festival (31 October - 2 November). It can be suspended. Skeleton imagery is used to remind people that we will all die; the mariachi guitarist reminds us to enjoy life.

This plastic skeleton, his head supported by coiled wire, wears the sombrero hat, cape, fancy trousers and boots of a mariachi bandsman, and plays a guitar. A thread attached to a loop in his hat allows him to be suspended, in a car or elsewhere.

The Mexican Day of the Dead festival combines the Christian feasts of All Souls' Day (31 October) and All Saints' Day (Todos Santos, Hallowmas, 1 November) with pre-Christian beliefs, in celebrating the return of the dead with feasts and offerings.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-336-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1999.1427
• Date: 1999
  
• Material: Plastic; spring-wire
  Figure, mariachi / miniature
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Figure, mariachi / miniature
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Central America, Mexico
  Mexico, Mexico City (Sonora Market)
  
• Event: Mexican Day of the Dead festival
  
• Description: Plastic miniature guitar-playing mariachi figure with spring-wire neck, made for the Mexico Day of the Dead festival, 1999
  
• References:
  • Carmichael, E. and Sayer, C., The Skeleton at the feast. Texas: 1997 
• Translations:
• Related Records: