Cultural festival Galleries

Dias de los Muertos in Santa Barbara (Nov 1 & 2 , 2008) : The first 12 photos were taken at Santa Barbara City College on November 1st. Then I attended the celebration of Dias de los Muertos at Casa de la Raza on November 2nd. (Since I like murals, I included those photos too). Dias de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition saying that the first two days of November belong to the dead. It is believed that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of the dead children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. Altars are being decorated with candles, yellow marigolds, personal mementos, religious pictures... Offering (ofrendas) are also placed on the altars including incense, water, fruits, calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls), pan de los muertos (bread of the dead)... On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down and enjoy the festivities that have been prepared for them. For more info: http://diadelosmuertos.us/article/dia-de-los-muertos-altars Misconceptions: http://inside-mexico.com/noes.htm Irma came to my Spanish class at City College to talk about this Mexican tradition: http://bijouceramics.com/Bijou_Ceramics/Altars/Altars.html

Dias de los Muertos in Santa Barbara (Nov 1 & 2 , 2008)

The first 12 photos were taken at Santa Barbara City College on November 1st. Then I attended the celebration of Dias de los Muertos at Casa de la Raza on November 2nd. (Since I like murals, I included those photos too). Dias de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition saying that the first two days of November belong to the dead. It is believ ...

Updated: Nov 03, 2008 10:04pm PST

OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA (07/2007) : The 2007 OC Fair was themed “Cowabunga! – The Year of Herefords, Surfers and Sand.” Cattle and surfing-related displays and exhibits could be found throughout the Fair, including the Avenue of Breeds, a giant sandcastle, and Cowabunga Beach. On July 27th, 2007, Melanie & I watched the OC Fair Cattle Drive on Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa. Cows instead of cars: what a wild scene!!! For more info: www.ocfair.com/2007

OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA (07/2007)

The 2007 OC Fair was themed “Cowabunga! – The Year of Herefords, Surfers and Sand.” Cattle and surfing-related displays and exhibits could be found throughout the Fair, including the Avenue of Breeds, a giant sandcastle, and Cowabunga Beach. On July 27th, 2007, Melanie & I watched the OC Fair Cattle Drive on Harbor Blvd in Costa ...

Updated: Oct 02, 2007 2:53pm PST

Tibetan monks in Santa Barbara : Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning "circle". Mandalas are symbols of the Universe and its energy. For more info on sand mandala: http://www.artnetwork.com/Mandala/ ** These photos not to be reproduced without express written consent from the photographer ** Thanks! Merci!

Tibetan monks in Santa Barbara

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning "circle". Mandalas are symbols of the Universe and its energy. For more info on sand mandala: http://www.artnetwork.com/Mandala/ ** These photos not to be reproduced without express written consent from the photographer ** Thanks! Merci!

Updated: Nov 04, 2005 11:02pm PST

Hmong Festival in Santa Ana (1996) : The Hmong, a minority ethnic group(between 300,000 to 600,000 people)live in Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar). Another approximately 8 million Hmong live in the southern provinces of China. Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, Hmong refugees have settled in Australia, France, Canada, and the United States. The US has the largest Hmong refugee community, with a population of more than 110,000, largely concentrated in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California. ** These photos not to be reproduced without express written consent from the photographer. The quality is not great because they are print scans** Thanks!!

Hmong Festival in Santa Ana (1996)

The Hmong, a minority ethnic group(between 300,000 to 600,000 people)live in Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar). Another approximately 8 million Hmong live in the southern provinces of China. Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, Hmong refugees have settled in Australia, France, Canada, and the United Sta ...

Updated: Nov 04, 2005 10:32pm PST

The Art of Being Kuna : Several years ago, the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History had a fascinating exhibit on molas. Molas are works of art created by the women of the Central American Cuna (or Kuna) tribe, of the San Blas Islands in Panama. To learn more: http://www.quiltethnic.com/kuna.html

The Art of Being Kuna

Several years ago, the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History had a fascinating exhibit on molas. Molas are works of art created by the women of the Central American Cuna (or Kuna) tribe, of the San Blas Islands in Panama. To learn more: http://www.quiltethnic.com/kuna.html

Updated: Jan 15, 2006 9:54pm PST