A Century of Burning Zozobra
On August 30, 2024, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of a yearly event in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The annual burning of Old Man Gloom, Zozobra, took place at Fort Marcy Park, site of a nineteenth century military installation and a present-day recreation field and baseball park.
The burning of a giant marionette in effigy has become a ritual that allows people to discard their anxiety, gloom, and stress. The word "zozobra" means "anxiety" or "worry" in Spanish. The verb "zozobrar" means "to capsize." As Old Man Gloom is set aflame. we remove the things that have burdened us. As he capsizes, we renew our inner strength.
The ritual started at a party held by William Howard Shuster Jr. (1893-1969), a World War I veteran who moved to New Mexico after his service. Having suffered during the war, Will Shuster settled in the Land of Enchantment to heal and do artistic works. He painted, did metal crafts, and began the tradition of burning Zozobra.
From the original ceremony, the burning of Zozobra has became a late summer ritual in Santa Fe that now attracts in excess of 50,000 attendees. In recent years, the event has allowed visitors to write down things that bring them gloom so that these painful memories on paper can be also be set aflame.
Zozobra in 1950. Palace of the Governors Collection, UNM Digital Archive
An Annual Ritual
The Zozobra ceremonies attract the largest single-day crowd in the state. With upwards of 50,000 attendees, the crowds exceed the capacity of the stadiums at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque (approximately 39,200) and New Mexico State University in Las Cruces (approximately 28,850).
While the annual Balloon Fiesta certainly has much of the entire Albuquerque/Rio Rancho/Sante Fe region as observers, this one-night event brings people from every corner of the state.
The images below follow the ritual from beginning to end, as it occurred during the 2024 ceremonies. A video of the event is available here.
The gates open in the late afternoon. Those who attend the Zozobra ceremony enjoy entertainment as the sun begins to lower on the western horizon. After the playing of the national anthem and welcoming remarks, the show begins.
In darkness, Zozobra starts moving his arms and head, looking at the crowd, as he summons his "Gloomies." These are the youth of Santa Fe that he has persuaded to give up hope, abandon happiness, and fall under his spell. They dance around him as he observes.
The Gloomies start dancing around the Zozobra, enthalled by him. He gestures at them, bringing them totally under his control.
Zozoabra raises his right arm, captivating the Gloomies under his spell. Screen capture, KOAT-TV
The Gloomies fall under Zozobra's trance. Screen capture, KOAT-TV
Although the Gloomies celebrate along with Zozobra, the crowd raises its voice. Soon, the Fire Spirit appears. She begins to dance in front of the Zozobra. The Gloomies attempt to remove her, but she ultimately prevails. The presence of the Fire Spirit enrages Zozobra. He growls, with smoke of anger coming out of him.
As the crowd watches, the Gloomies disappear and the Fire Spirit dances. Screen capture, KOAT-TV
Soon, the presence of the Fire Spirit inspires the crowd. To defend Santa Fe from perpetual gloom, they implore the Fire Spirit to "burn him." Their chants grow louder and louder, as Zozobra's grip on the Gloomies begins to fail.
Fireworks increase, and soon the Fire Spirit summons her strength to set Zozobra aflame. The youth are liberated from their gloominess, and the city is saved.
Flames start to appear from Zozobra. Screen capture, KOAT-TV
Soon, Zozobra falls to the ground. The people of Santa Fe are safe again, with the youth of the city no longer under his spell. In celebration of the state's incredible diversity, Puebloans from many Native American communities in New Mexico also dance, act, and participate in the event.
Zozobra will reappear again next year, on the Friday before Labor Day.
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