A long time ago I saw an exhibit in Minneapolis at the Chicano Cultural Center. The exhibit featured ofrendas -- memorial altars for the celebration Day of the Dead November 1-2. created by local artists. For an explanation of ofrendas, here's a web page:
http://www.inside-mexico.com/ofrenda.htm
I was very moved by this tradition, so even though I am not Mexican, each year I have made my own idiosyncratic version of an ofrenda for those who have died in the past year. I don't follow all the traditions associated with the Dia de Muertos, and my altar doesn't look exactly like a true Mexican ofrenda, but the intent is the same -- to memorialize, on the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, those who have passed away. Usually I lay it out on top of the piano, but this year I can't do that. I only have a small space in the "Old Home Place" where we're staying. The "person" who was most close to me who has died (presumed dead) in the past year is my mom's cat, Tiger who disappeared in March. So I made the ofrenda for Tiger. My session at the library computer is about to end. They close in four minutes. More later.
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Tiger was an indoors cat and very timid about going outside. He always wanted to go out and investigate under the bushes, but if you started to shut the door, he'd usually race right back in. When Frank picked up my Mom to bring her to our house for birthday cake for our son, Dan, Tiger must have slipped out without Frank knowing, and then not been quick enough to get back inside and gotten stuck outside. I go grocery shopping with Mom every weekend and knew to watch for him, but Frank might not have. It was after dark when they came back to her house and Mom assumed Tiger was inside. It wasn't until the next morning that she noticed he was gone.
Mom looked all around and called the animal shelter to see if he'd been found. i hate to think of it, but a neighbor of Mom's had mentioned hearing a lot of coyotes around there at the time. A best case scenario would be that his collar got stuck on something and came off (as they are designed to do, so the cat doesn't choke to death) and some kind person found him without ID and is giving him a good home. Realistically, though, he is probably dead by whatever cause.
For a better look at Tiger himself, I have also posted the picture I used for the ofrenda. I don't have any pictures of Tiger as an adult, just ones from when he first came to us (and that's another story!)
http://365project.org/mcsiegle/alternates/2013-10-19
I took this picture of the ofrenda for the get pushed challenge from Jacki
@jav0930, who wanted a peek at my traditions. So, although this is not my cultural tradition, it is a personal tradition I've followed. I used the "tooncamera" iPod app to take this picture. I also have a slight variation in my alternates album.
http://365project.org/mcsiegle/alternates/2013-10-18
Any opinions, critiques of one or both is very welcome.
