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

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:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.1427
Date:	1999
Material:	Plastic; spring-wire
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:
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