Literary Calavera

The Literary Calavera or calavera literaria (Spanish: literary skull) is a traditional Mexican literary form: a satirical or light-hearted writing in verse, often composed for the Day of the Dead.[1][2]

Posada's La Calavera Garbancera together with a literary calaverita in 1913

History

Initially known as panteones, these verses had their origin in the 19th century as mocking epitaph and a way of expressing ideas or feelings that in other occasions might be difficult to express.[3][2] For this reason they were often censored or destroyed, since they also often served as a means to express political satire.[3][2] The first calaveras were published in 1879, in the newspaper El Socialista, of Guadalajara.[2]

Features
  • They are irreverent verses, written as epitaphs, portraying people as if they were dead.[4]
  • They are used to channel feelings that in another context would be difficult to express.
  • They are usually accompanied by drawings of skulls.
  • They are traditional Mexican compositions.[5]

References
  1. Argüelles, Juan Domingo (2 November 2003). "La adulteración de las calaveras". La Jornada en línea. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  2. González, Carmen (16 October 2008). "Son las calaveras literarias una manifestación de la cultura popular". El Sol de Tlaxcala. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  3. Marroquín, Fausto Martínez. ""Calaveritas", una hermosa y casi desaparecida tradición". México desconocido. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  4. "Qué es una calavera literaria | Calaveras Literarias". calaveras-literarias.com. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  5. "Características de las calaveras literarias | Calaveras Literarias". calaveras-literarias.com.mx. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2020.


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