Colima dogs

 When we lived in San Antonio, we attended the festivals. I loved to see the altars honoring the dead.

One of the things you might see on an altar was a small dog made of red clay. The dog was usually stout with short legs. The tlalchichi is extinct because of Mexico’s sad history. (If you think the culture wars are a new development, you might spend some time reading up on Mexican history.)

The ceramic versions are sometimes called Colima dogs, perritos de Colima, because many were found in the tombs of the ancient people there. People believed that the souls of the dead went to Mictlán. It was a difficult, four-year journey. The dog was the guide.

Another thing you might find on the altar: cempasúchil. The scientific name is Tagetes erectus. We call the flowers Mexican marigolds. They are big — ours are about 3 feet tall. We are a long way from Texas, but we grow them way up here in what seems like the far north. Ours are still blooming. The blossoms are bright, and the plant is fragrant. They are put on altars to help souls coming from afar find their way home.

DNA de los Muertos is Nov. 1 or 2, depending on the tradition. In Mexico, there is always more than one tradition. In San Antonio, the day is more like a week, because there are so many traditions. Why celebrate one when you can celebrate them all?

I love that about the culture of our former neighbors. Father Arturo, my old Navy buddy, was a devout Franciscan priest who had images of indigenous gods embroidered into his vestments.

The wisest and best are pluralists, I think.