-DRAFT VERSION-
Descansos
(remembrance of loved ones)
In the past when a traveler was
killed on the road, family members, friends or considerate strangers
would mark the place of death with a marker so that all would
know what happened on that spot. Called descansos, these
markers were in part to honor to the dead, but they also offered
a warning to those that pass that way. "Be careful friend!"
Before the days of the automobile,
there were bandits to worry the traveler on the road and these
early descansos often marked the place where a robbery
and murder had occurred. Before Anglo settlers came to the American
Southwest, it was the tradition of the Mexican inhabitants to
mark the death of their loved ones with piles of stones or more
frequently, with crosses. Handmade markers were made of various
designs and of varied materials and had an individual character
to each of them.
This custom has continued long
past the day of the highway bandit, but continues now as a way
to honor those that have died in traffic accidents. The practice
has spread beyond the Mexican-American community and has become
so widespread that it is no longer the domain of one ethnic group.
Not sanctioned by the government, illegal in many places, these
descansos have become de facto guerrilla memorials
to the dead. These spontaneous outpourings of love and loss provide
a focal point for the grief of many surviving friends and family
members.
For years I have noticed these
roadside markers springing up on Texas roadsides and would wonder
about the story of the people they honor. Some of these markers
were very elaborate and by the fresh flowers it was obvious to
see that many of them were well tended. Others were plain white
crosses, but all of them had been made with love and were powerful
because of that. As these roadside markers would appear, others
would disappear, no doubt picked up by the Highway Department.
After one or two beautiful markers that I liked disappeared I
decided to photograph some of the more interesting ones to preserve
some record of this folk art.
Over 3,000 people die each year
in traffic accidents on Texas roads.
This sampling of my collection
of photographs is dedicated to the memory of those strangers
memorialized by the descansos pictured here. They are
remembered.
Photographs copyright
Mike Cochran
940-387-0995
If you are a family member of
anyone remembered here, I would be happy to include any biographical
information you can provide.