Under the dappled sunlight filtering through the 500 year old ahuehuete trees in the panteón of Tlacolula de Matamoros, lovingly placed fruit and nuts nourish the souls. (Click on images to enlarge)
In the afternoon, when the light and shadows dance on the graves, beautiful still lifes greet the departed, their living family, friends, and visitors. It is a tranquil setting to contemplate the words of Octavio Paz (The Labyrinth of Solitude, the other Mexico, and essays, Grove Press, 1985, p. 54)
The opposition between life and death was not so absolute to the ancient Mexicans as it is to us. Life extended into death, and vice versa. Death was not the natural end of life but one phase of an infinite cycle.
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Beautiful photos
Thanks, Alana. There seems to be a special focus on providing fruit and nuts to the difuntos of Tlacolula.
you are a poet and the people who placed these are great artists
Yes, the artistry in all aspects of life is one of those special things I love about Oaxaca.
Love this. The outlook on life and death is so beautiful. As are your photos.
Thanks, Sandi. The understanding and acceptance of the cycle of life is so much more realistic and healthy than the unspoken denial in el norte.
Beautiful pictures, Shannon!
Thank you, Louise. The families who created the still lifes and Mother Nature are the artists!