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Papel Picado - Colorful Cutout Tissue Paper - Day of the Dead

$4.25

Garland of 10 banners of papel picado (tissue paper with cutouts) on a 5m (16ft) long string, with Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) theme. Each garland carries 10 different colors and designs with the same Day of the Dead theme: skeletons carrying coffin, dancing, riding a horse or a bike, as mariachi, with cake, on a wedding, at the altar, etc. 

A magnificent, colorful, so typical ornament that may be one of the most recognizable Mexican symbols today, was created and still handmade in the state of Puebla, by artisans that have been doing this for generations. With roots in Chinese art of cutting paper, it's another example of the enrichment of cultures that happen with migrations and discoveries. From the 16th till the 19th century, while Acapulco port was the main connection with the Philippines and the major annual trade route was bringing Asian goods to the Americas,  the caravans carried the merchandise from Acapulco to Veracruz, going through the state of Puebla, where the papel de China ("Chinese paper" as tissue paper is still called in Mexico) became a fascination, and a major art and folklore expression until today.