Asda is accused of “cultural appropriation” for selling a Halloween Day of the Dead costume inspired by the Mexican festival (dailymail.co.uk).
“The supermarket has been criticised by shoppers for its ‘Halloween Day of the Dead skeleton costume’ inspired by the annual Dia de Muertos festival in Mexico. Critics argue that Halloween and Day of the Dead are two separate events with different origins, and say it is culturally disrespectful to sell these outfits.”
“Critics”, not often the term you hear for someone having a whinge down a shopping isle, but, yes, I can—with reservations—see their point; but then again, escaped lunatic mental patient costume could cause some whinge to any that have ever been sectioned under the Mental Health Act—not a pleasant experience I can attest—as it did back in 2013 (digitalspy.co.uk).
“Dia de Muertos is a holiday to honour the dead, with participants decorating altars with flowers, candles, food and pictures in memory of loved ones. The celebration originated as a ritual in South America as long as 3,000 years ago—and was merged with Catholicism following the Spanish Conquest.”
Indeed, much as the Pagan Celtic Samhain festival cleaving the light and dark half of the year was appropriated by Christianity in Europe and became Halloween, as most other Pagan festivals people were similarly given a Saintly veneer.
But whereas Halloween, especially in its modern form is more spooky autumnal let-it-all-out Mardi Gras night before All Saints’ Day, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of the departed in a still deeply Catholic country where visits to the cemetery are more in reverence than looking for Spring Heeled Jack.
The costume in question is la Calavera Catrina or “dapper skeleton” a popular icon by Mexican satirical political printmaker and engraver José Guadalupe Posada (Wikipedia), is often made into costume with makeup in Mexico and is a representation of an upper class lady in a fine hat during the repressive and corruptly aristocratic 1884 - 1911 reign of Porfirio Díaz in original etchings symbolising the contrasts between the upper and lower classes and how death pays no heed to those classes, making it analogous to the iconic medieval Latin memento mori (“remember that you must die”) common in Europe at the time of the Black Death pandemic.
It is increasing seen in North America too though—and not just on those of Latino heritage—as I’m sure Halloween selfies will be attesting (Bing.com)—and I’m not that sure how much more seriously any wearing there will be taking festival perhaps highlighting that the gathering of families at cemeteries to pray for their deceased loved ones at the end of the day in Mexico is more related to Catholicism than the festival itself per se, and, North America… well, a lot of declarations mentioning God and many still professing but I don’t think you’d be that stressed making sure you got a pew seat on any given Sunday.
And if Selena Gomez can get her Calavera Catrina on for her Revival tour (cheekypopdivadigest.blogspot.co.uk, 9th Apr. 2016) then I think it has entered the wider costume lexicon, but some disagree:
“TV and film extra James Valentine from Cardiff criticised the phenomenon of dressing up using Day of the Dead inspiration altogether. He posted on Facebook: ‘If you think sugar skull/Day of the Dead make up is appropriate and you are not Mexican, please kindly forget I existed. It is racist, and cultural appropriation. You cannot cherry pick things from other people’s belief systems and culture just because you think it looks pretty.’”
Indeed, something to bear in mind if you are preparing creepy Cardinal, monks cassock or saucy latex nun as your costume this year; I see you can get a Buddhist Dalai Lama one too if that’s your bag. But some, although bemoaning the lack of “cultural knowledge” are regardless more 21st century understanding:
“A spokesman for MexSoc UK, a society for Mexican students in Britain, complained that the sale of the costumes displayed a ‘lack of cultural knowledge’. President Miguel Nunez said: ‘We strongly believe the ‘Halloween Day of the Dead’ costumes on sale at supermarkets across the UK evidence the lack of cultural knowledge of marketing campaigners. However we do not take offence—if we did then we should ask for a ban of the James Bond movie Spectre where the British secret agent is shown in the middle of a carnival procession. These kind of displays have never happened on Day of the Dead celebrations. The Day of the Dead is something much more conservative and traditional celebrated in Latin America, especially in Mexico, and it has a very intimate links with our predecessors, relatives and friends that have passed away.”
Sans belief and sans briefest of interest in history for many, where does—or should—appropriation start and stop in today’s eclectic global pop culture?
But if you are interested in finding out more about Mexico and Anglo-Mexican links you could drop by The British Mexican Society, a non-political organisation established in the UK in 1942 which aims to foster and promote knowledge and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Mexico by offering a forum for anyone residing in the UK who is interested in Mexico and its traditions: The British Mexican Society (britishmexicansociety.org).
Mexicans in the United Kingdom (Wikipedia).
Updated 25th October 2016
And seemingly Asda are not alone in seeing a profitable appropriation convergence of both festivals:
12. Get down for Day of the Dead (metro.co.uk).
“To celebrate Day of the Dead, Mexican restaurant Wahaca is laying on an epic three-day festival in the suitably eerie Waterloo Vaults [in London]. The tequila-fuelled party will offer street food, cocktails and Mexican wrestling, while DJs from both Mexico and the UK will keep everyone dancing in the night. 3rd-5th November, tickets from £25pp.”
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