Last weekend I went to a couple cultural events in Arizona. Although I've certainly enjoyed festivals and such in other places--here, for some reason, it often seems a little more special. I guess I can really feel how the people and traditions are connected to the location.
I happen to live very close to an Indian Reservation, and since I moved here, I had been very curious to learn more about it. While driving home, I saw a banner inviting the public to a Pow Wow--and so I made sure to attend. The event was the Red Mountain Eagle Pow Wow. There were about 75 dancers and numerous drum groups competing. The dancers all had amazing outfits, and I loved the fact that their ages ranged from the little kids to grandparents. Some of the most impressive dancers were teenage boys--and I was so happy to see that there were so many young people interested in traditional dance and music.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxuIBoVPr_wNGzjqv2WQI80Ubk4sr7vfa_R5eG85WbA6EiSZSrTGcsk6E1XGLMcE_2eGBLshBbSUGTyCRuMzYFuqhXkUJ7sr5MxAbyNZt6q_16z6g_xBBkKup5anX0b0Oqa_5d2KuWzs/s400/allsouls.jpg)
I then headed to Tucson to see the All Souls Procession. This was my first time at this event, and I have to honestly say that it was the most impressive city event I have been to anywhere. The procession celebrates the Day of the Dead--participants celebrate the lives of lost loved ones. One of the greatest things about the event was that it was very inclusive. The crowd ranged from hipster artist-types, to other diverse members of the community. Most everyone had masks, or painted their faces to resemble beautiful skulls. There was a really positive, energetic feeling to the evening.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFKIttczqoSi9uV2sTSF5htbcwScBZJZDELM2mYfOQFZyDsguwWHQbA_NcnEKyAZh8lBMkzGPcPQA15M5oc977H-1suIsM_HYlFfp9kgcfFkCGKZ77SQ27ohyDf82vqjSUA3g_mYLOgs/s400/flamchen1.jpg)
After several hours of the procession, the crowd made its way downtown for the finale. Flam Chen, a local Tucson pyrotechnic theater troupe, put on an amazing spectacle. There were women on stilts in bug costumes with flaming staffs, a band of skull-faced bagpipers, and most impressive of all, was a six-story crane from which ten people were suspended like a mobile.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1bqO9bd0WSD2VsDsp9c0_FgW85eR4l0jpm3WSBMIddj6jrfO-nK0z2FCwB0kjpaLdnv1-HPQctI4qwOiYSA58aefaIFYPCokiXeSX35TeZDXpmKFJzgk5iK7QTlp-XZhBCUXLGemv9Q/s400/flamchen3.jpg)
They released a giant, glowing bag of balloons into the crowd below, then juggled fire as they spun around high in the air. I'm doing a terrible job of explaining how amazing this all was to see. In the end, a large sphere was attached to the crane that contained messages to lost loved ones. The sphere was lit on fire to send all the messages to another world.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1sboSs8i0TjHjXWcmQ-z4-QYCz9866qsYzdUcDB2t3LYePjtvIHPUJ5CypZ-tzERXMlLitYFFCASeFj54X5PpUDfohkh9Yn0wBFtG6ua5d1C9fNFr4tB87dquH4PIPn-iBUoup-Tcjk/s400/flamchen2.jpg)
Despite being tired and having a long drive home, we had an amazing, inspiring time. I'd encourage you all to attend in the coming years--if you have any friends in Tucson, be sure to visit them in early November!
3 comments:
How interesting, the Pow wow looked amazing.
I attended the All Souls event a few years ago and had a great time. Tucson is such a great city for community events, I really miss it!
Hello there I am making your shalom sweater right now and have a question. i am stuck on row 8 at the end where it says 8 stitches are left then M1,k1,three times and then M1,k5. how can i do this when there are only 8 stitches left? Help please! Thanks....
Post a Comment