Example of Literary Skull

The literary calaverita It is a traditional Mexican composition, which is made in a picaresque and funny way through verses and rhymes, in a mischievous or ironic tone about a person, who may well be still alive or about someone who has already passed away. This literary expression is used in the dates close to the feast day of the dead.

Literary skulls have been known in Mexico since the 19th century, being called "Pantheons" at first; However, there are indications of its origin and existence since colonial times in the 18th century, when disgruntled creoles wrote pasquines in the form epitaph, making known their disagreement with the authorities. They were prohibited by the viceregal governments for being used as a means of criticizing the important characters of the moment.

In a literary calaverita Allusion is made to some characteristics of the person to whom it is dedicated, which can be both things related to the person's physique, their profession, tastes, hobbies, etc. It is structured in the form of an epitaph, regularly by means of verses or simple rhymes. There are also little skulls that allude to an event, personalizing it and giving it a satirization similar to that used with people.

At present the literary calaverita continues to be used to criticize public figures, and they are also dedicated to anyone.

Although they can be done at any time, it is a tradition to do them during the festivities around the festivities of day of the Dead on November 1 and 2.

Example of literary skull:

That Dona Elvira, she is sick and does not take care of herself,

If she continues like this with her health, she will soon she will reach the coffin.

Clodomiro was a regular at wine,

And one day of so much wine that he took,

The weeping tilica took him away.

He to avoid it from the wine he offered,

But she told him, I don't drink wine

And he told her that she only came for him,

And that she would take him even if he weighed a barrel.

Roberto was a one-eyed man,

That he always walked by the port,

One day they hired him on a boat,

And they went to sea.

When they left he saw in the port,

To the catrina who spoke to her,

And to flee from death,

The impertinent took the helm,

Turning the boat suddenly.

Since I could not see from one side,

He went to crash into the ford,

Making the ship roll on its side,

Crushing all the people.

In that came death,

And he suddenly said to her,

I didn't come for you today

but for being so reckless,

I will take you along with all the people.

I spoke to you to save you,

Well, today I shouldn't touch you.

But for what you've done

You go straight to the hole.