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Dia de Los Muertos Celebration, Oakland Museum of California

NARRATIVE
When I moved to the Bay Area, I was humbled to find that Puerto Ricans were not the majority Latino population in the United States. I was infused with Mejicano, Central an South American culture. One of the greatest traditions I have discovered has been the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at the Oakland Museum of California. It's always been filled with ceremony, craftsmanship, community, and celebration. Especially after losing a firefighter in 9/11, I have returned year after year to pay homage to my lost loved ones and to gain further understanding of this celebration beyond my Catholic upbringing.

This year's theme is Laughing Bones/Weeping Hearts. This year's Dia de Los Muertos Celebration is Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 from noon - 4 pm.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: 510.238.2200

HOURS:

** This year's Dia de Los Muertos Celebration is Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 from noon - 4 pm.

Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
First Friday of each month open until 9 p.m.
Museum closed on these holidays:
New Years Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day

PRICE RANGE
Inexpensive. You'll be sampling tortillas you grind yourself. You also may be purchasing sugar skulls or other artwork made by artisans, but mostly you'll wander the gardens, listen to the music, and participate in the community festival.

SUMMARY
My friend Amy, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, introduced me to the festival in 1999. She took video and I marveled at the honoring of the Departed in such a beautiful way. All Souls' Day and All Saints Day were celebrations I looked forward to as a kid in Catholic school. I focused on my favourite saints and especially enjoyed mass at St. Anthony of Padua in Endicott, NY because there was such a beautiful grotto of saint statues there.

I always wander the gardens to get the layout. The children's crafts activities are housed immediately as you enter. Volunteers offer you a guide and welcome you to the museum after you walk downstairs and past the koi pond.

Sculptures, altars, music, and people dressed as skeletons with face paint or elaborate costumes fill the courtyard. There are marigolds everywhere. You can choose to purchase one as a donation to remember your those you have lost to add to an altar created by local artists.

The stories the altars tell and the laughter of kids creating their own shakers and puppets are a lovely contrast. Death is a part of the cycle of life, not sinister or macabre.

Grinding the corn into masa for my first homemade tortilla was a treat. So much work, and SO good. Kernels are ground, ground, ground, into meal that is malleable, and pressed between our palms and then finally cooked for our consumption. I love being connected to the process like this.

The highlight for me is the community ceremony that is rooted in Native American tradition, ecumenical, and a statement to how we as human beings can take time to celebrate and reflect. Afterward I wander about the altars, read the stories, examine the pictures, and offer my silent thoughts to my lost loved ones. It is not my tradition, per se, but as an adopted Californian, I feel lucky to consider this annual event held at the Oakland Museum of California to be a highlight of the year for all to celebrate.

Exhibits are free to the public during the celebration as well.

SERVICE
Museum and festival volunteers are extremely helpful. A map of the layout of the event can help you strategize your visit.

REST ROOMS
Absolutely pleasant! The museum rest rooms are well kept! Changing stations are included for those with new family members!"

posted by wrki @ 12:47 AM