Autumn Traditions: Zozobra
November 24th, 2009 by John Wolfe
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, about seventy-five miles north of me, it’s been an autumn tradition since 1924 to burn Old Man Gloom, aka Zozobra. The fifty-foot tall marionette is designed to be the embodiment of worry and fear. Each fall, he’s burned to symbolically release that fear and usher in prosperity and good luck in the new year. While I’ve never attended the burning, I’ve always been curious about the proceedings as they have a very pagan feel about them, though most people probably don’t think of “Zozobra” in that manner.
Now, if I could just build my graveyard overseer prop that large for Halloween, I’d really be in business. 
Image source: sfhs88nm.com
This first video shows the “old man” being burned.
Video source: You Tube user santafenewmexican
This second video gives some insight into the creation of the effigy.
Video source: You Tube user dlfitch
November 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I’ve never heard of that! I think I’d like to make a special trip just for that! I dream of being part of a huge event like solstice at Stonehenge, or gigantic drum circles in Sedona. This looks like something I would invent if I had a huge property and a lot of open-minded friends! You really need to go to it some time and film for us! Thanks for sharing this!
November 24th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Oh yeah, Stonehenge has always been a place I would love to visit too! Zozobra’s a great idea for a road trip! I definitely should plan on heading to Santa Fe next year. It already came and went this year, but I was so busy working on props that I barely noticed.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:39 am
John, wow, this was so incredible to watch. You absolutely must go next year, maybe bring your Mom along. This is to fantastic to miss when it’s so close to you my friend! In the first video I love how the grunts and moaning seemed live time, like it was really happening to him. Even his movements made him seem real prior to the burning. Now John, how would you like to be a part of THAT PROP building
He reminded me of the Rose Parade in that the floats we see all covered in an assortment of flowers took one full year to design and create. Just like Zozobra. I’m really glad you found this because I had no idea that such a celebration took place. Festivals on a grand scale like this are always fun to attend. If you do go, be sure to take your camera so you can share the footage with those of us who don’t live in New Mexico.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Thanks, Goldie, glad you enjoyed it. It’s funny that I’ve lived in New Mexico for eighteen years now and have yet to attend. After seeing these videos and getting feedback from yourself and autumnforest, I’m definitely interested in attending next year. I’ve been wanting to document more of the fall season in NM, including the events that are held, so I’ll be sure and take the camera.
November 27th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Holy moly, that is just incredible.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
WOW! I don’t know why I’ve never heard of this before. That is just amazing!
I love oversized props, and that is the grand daddy of them all. Hmmm…now, how do I reproduce this for my haunt? On a slightly smaller scale of course.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Jayson,
So, are you actually thinking of burning your prop too? Please, let me know if you do. I’d love to see it and feature it in the blog as a related post to Zozobra. Thanks for checking out this entry and I’m glad you liked it.