The year was about 1990. I returned to Espanola for their annual Festival of the Arts and to look for familiar faces. Several years ago I lived in Espanola. On this particular day I was living on and drove from the Navajo Reservation about a hundred and a half West. The annual Santa Fe Fiesta was happening at the same time. Zozobra has become a major part of this Fiesta. It was in September, several years ago (maybe 1980 or so), I remember taking my daughter and my ex to see Zozobra. We parked the car and walked about a quarter of a mile to get to a park with stages set up at one end. I carried the little one. We squeezed through the thickening crowd, shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow to get up close --to be able to see the thing. We figured ring side seats right up front (actually everyone was standing) would offer the best view of the ensuing theatricals. You know, give Baby a good view to remember. Her thoughts were anywhere but there. When the fireworks began she freaked. We comforted her and coaxed her. She enjoyed the attention. After the fireworks were over, she settled down. We were able to take in the stage show and the rest of the evening was quite relaxing.

In 1680, or there about, there occurred in Northern New Mexico what was known as the “Pueblo Revolt”. I really need to find the books to refresh my memory. But I am told that the Spanish priests had come to convert the Indians to Christianity or Catholicism and all that was good and righteous. During this time restrictions were imposed upon traditional native religious and cultural practices. The Indians were persecuted and exploited. Indians were subject to abuse and starvation. Indian women started bearing white babies. This was kind of a do as I say not as I do philosophy . . . and we’ll teach you a better way of life. Literally, heads rolled and the Spanish were run out of New Mexico. Twelve years later they were allowed to come back (1692).

My Main Man / Northern New Mexico
in the Spring © John Job, 2000

The Spanish re-entered New Mexico in 1692. Every year since 1712--commemorating now more than 300 years of reoccupation--they have held an annual fiesta to celebrate “the reconquest”, as it was called, of “New Spain”. This has become complete with parade, prayer, dancing, outdoor theater, and celebration. Since 1926, Zozobra has been a major part of these festivities. Zozobra is a puppet, mind you, some 60 feet tall. After dark he dances to the music. The crowd gathers and thickens as the evening progresses. An array of fireworks is ignited. The puppet moans and groans, shifts from side to side, and rolls his eyes. Then in a grande finale, the puppet himself is set afire. The fireworks continue, and the crowd cheers, until he burns to the ground. Then your attention is drawn to lighting up of the stage, and the remaining show begins. Symbolically, he represents Old Man Gloom. And with the beginning of a new season, a new year, Old Man Gloom is replaced with goodness, happiness, good tithing, and good cheer. It has been for two hundred and some odd years that the Spanish have celebrated “the reconquest”. Sort of like saying, we kicked your buts and we came back. But that wasn’t quite the way it happened --or so I’m told. In all actuality, the Spanish were allowed to come back. The Spanish were allowed to return to new Mexico (not without deliberation, I might add). And that day as I watched, as I participated in the activities of the evening it was as if a new page unfolded in the books of history. A new page would be written --a first. For the first time in 298 years the Pueblo Indians were allowed to participate in the ceremonies.

Traditional dances were performed. Prayers were bestowed. They sang and rejoiced happily, equally, and side by side with the remainder of Santa Fe, as one of the predominant cultures of Northern New Mexico. For the first time in history the name of the event was changed from “the reconquest” to “the reconciliation”. The energy was warm, strong, and omnipresent that evening. It was glorious. If for no other reason Zozobra will always have a special place in my heart. What a memory! What an experience! What an Event!

(this page was originally done on a wysiwyg page template. Needless to say, I don't like these a whole lot. Finally, I got around to redoing it -after several years. My pages are always subject to a little more editing. The graphic image above was done with a basic Mac paint program. I wasn't sure it could be done --so I surprised myself with the results. The borders and link buttons were provided by Silverhawk Creations --Thanks again Sam.)