Will Shuster, or Shus as he is best known, created an effigy to represent the tribulations and gloom of the past year. Shus believed gloom must be dispelled by burning before joy can be fully realized. The past year's economic woes have given many of a pile of worries worthy of shedding in a symbolic blaze.
photo of Will Shuster - originator of Zozobra
Zozobra 2009
Photo © Ana Zune via Santa Fe Free Press
"Zozobra is a hideous but harmless fifty-foot bogeyman marionette. He is a toothless, empty-headed facade. He has no guts and doesn't have a leg to stand on. He is full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. He never wins. He moans and groans, rolls his eyes and twists his head. His mouth gapes and chomps. His arms flail about in frustration. Every year we do him in. We string him up and burn him down in ablaze of fireworks. At last, he is gone, taking with him all our troubles for another whole year. Santa Fe celebrates another victory. Viva la Fiesta!" - A.W. Denninger via www.zozobra.comTo read a detailed history of the Zozobra: CLICK HERE
2009 festivities: CLICK HEREThanks Jamie Berry for alerting me to the Zozobra tradition.
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