Every year, on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, Santa Fe’s Fort Marcy Park becomes the stage for a unique and vibrant celebration known as the Burning of Zozobra. This annual event draws thousands of participants who gather to witness the dramatic incineration of a towering 50-foot effigy, affectionately called New Mexico’s Boogeyman or Old Man Gloom. As the massive figure seems to cast its shadow over the city, the crowd’s collective cheer rises, signaling the beginning of their fiery act of purification.
The festival, also known as Zozobra (pronounced “zuh-ZOH-bruh”), is more than just a spectacle; it’s a cherished cultural ritual that has been integral to Santa Fe’s identity since its inception in 1924. The name “Zozobra” translates to “anxiety” in Spanish, and the event marks the end of summer and the start of Fiesta de Santa Fe, a nine-day celebration of the city’s Spanish heritage. This year’s event, held on August 30, celebrates the 100th anniversary of this tradition.
A Unique Tradition
The Burning of Zozobra represents more than a mere festival; it embodies a unique aspect of Santa Fe’s cultural heritage. Ray Sandoval, the Zozobra event committee chair, describes the effort involved: “To take a group of volunteers and spend basically an entire year planning, building, and constructing this giant 50-foot monster only to destroy it, that’s pretty City Different.” This sentiment captures the essence of the festival—combining community spirit with artistic expression.
The Origins of Zozobra
The spark for Zozobra’s creation came on Christmas Eve in 1923, when local artist William Howard “Will” Shuster Jr. gathered his artist friends at the newly opened La Fonda hotel. After a subdued dinner, Shuster encouraged his friends to write down their troubles and burn them in a small bonfire to alleviate their woes. This act of cleansing would later evolve into the grand tradition of Zozobra.
Inspired by a Yaqui Indian Easter tradition, where an effigy of Judas was paraded and then set alight, Shuster created a four-foot effigy in 1924. Initially named Old Man Groucher, this figure was burned in a private backyard celebration. The following year, Shuster and E. Dana Johnson, then editor of the Santa Fe New Mexican, rebranded the effigy as Zozobra, a name they found fitting in a Spanish-English dictionary. The first public burning took place on September 3, 1926, with a six-foot figure made from wood and chicken wire.
Evolution of the Effigy
Over the decades, Zozobra has undergone significant transformations. Originally a simple figure with a bald head and bulging eyes, Zozobra evolved into a more elaborate creation. By the 1930s, Shuster added tuxedo-like clothing, and the effigy’s size increased from 20 feet to the current 50-foot, 6-inch version. The festival’s popularity led to its relocation to Fort Marcy Park in the 1930s, and this year, the City Council will rename the park’s diamond to Zozobra Field in honor of the centennial.
Community Involvement and Tradition
The festival draws approximately 60,000 attendees annually, reflecting about 70 percent of Santa Fe’s population. Many locals, like Eric Griego, have deep-rooted connections to the event. Griego, who has attended the festival for 48 years, highlights the significance of Zozobra: “It is community-centered and focused on banishing the ‘gloom’ from our lives, giving us a fresh start for the year to come.”
Volunteers play a crucial role in the festival’s success. Nearly 700 individuals contribute to the creation and execution of Zozobra, from constructing its large frame to managing pyrotechnics and security. The effigy, built from chicken wire and cloth, is filled with “glooms”—personal items and handwritten notes symbolizing people’s troubles and hopes for the future. These glooms can be submitted online or placed in designated “gloom boxes” around Santa Fe.
The Ritual of the Burning
On festival day, Zozobra is hoisted onto a 51-foot steel pole, and the ritual begins with the effigy’s transformation into a symbol of darkness. The storyline involves townspeople inviting Zozobra as a guest, only for him to respond with anger, plunging the city into darkness. The climax involves a dramatic battle where the Fire Spirit, a role performed by a select few, ultimately overcomes Zozobra, symbolizing the triumph of hope and renewal.
Conclusion
The Burning of Zozobra remains a powerful representation of Santa Fe’s vibrant culture and community spirit. Over the past 100 years, this festival has evolved, yet it continues to captivate and unite people in a shared celebration of renewal and tradition. As the effigy burns, so too does the gloom of the past, making way for a brighter future.
