The Scituate Harbor shop Native, which recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary, is filled with indigenous folk art, jewelry and accessories from diverse cultures around the world, including the American Southwest, Mexico, India, Africa, Nepal, Thailand, South America and New Guinea. Leading up to the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, the shop comes alive with artisan-made merchandise inspired by the holiday.
Also known as Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico on November 1
(All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day). The holiday’s roots stretch back to the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors. These two days in November are used to honor the dead with many different traditions. Día de los Muertos is now celebrated across Latin America, the United States, and around the world. It is a time of joyful festivities that help people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.
Gifts that Give Back
Here’s a selection of Día de los Muertos merchandise available at Native.
51 Front St., Scituate, 781-545-9600, shopnativeonline.com
Catrina & Catrin embroidered felt pillows: Made in Peru. 9-inches tall. $68
Catrina
The word catrina is the feminine form of the Spanish word catrín, which means “elegant.” Typically depicted in an ornate hat fashionable at the time, these sculptures are intended to show that despite their pretensions to superiority, the rich and fashionable are as susceptible to death as anyone else.
Clay Catrina and Catrin sculptures: Made in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Approximately 14-15 inches tall. $88 each.
Notecards: Image based on etching by famed Mexican illustrator Jose Posada. $3
Beaded sugar skull design cuffs bracelets: Made in Sololá, Guatemala. Approximately 2 inches wide. $24.
Beaded skull clutch and change purse: Made in Guatemala. 7-inch: $45. 5-inch: $20
Retablos
Retablos are a sophisticated Peruvian folk art. The term retablo is derived from the Latin retro tabula, which means behind the (altar) table, where devotional images were typically placed. Peruvian retablos evolved from religious and devotional images to also include scenes from daily life such as markets, shops, harvests, weddings, social political and other events.
Skeleton Love “Amor “ Retablo: Made in Peru.
2 1/4 -inches wide x 3 3/8-inches tall. Made from
cooked potato starch, wood and paint. $28
Felt and beaded sugar skull earrings: Made in Peru. $12
Embroidered felt skeleton pillows: Made in Peru,
6” x 14” $58