Literary skulls are written expressions loaded with humor, a humor that swings between satire and irony, they are written according to a rhythm, with measure and sometimes with rhyme. Originally they were intended to satire politicians and rulers appearing in the so-called “flying sheets” that were distributed by the “little papers”.
It should be noted that although their presence dates back to viceregal Mexico, it would not be until the 20th century that these demonstrations ceased to be a point of censorship and became a fundamental aspect within the celebration of the Day of the Dead, thus becoming a mechanism for criticizing political but also used in family contexts.
Politician Literas Skulls
Nice to meet you, I’m la Garbancera or la muerta
Also, the Catrina
Who made me is called Posada -a beloved illustrator-
Who made me sing along with
Literary skulls, who, like me, are very Mexican
And we like to be brave before that thief friend
Who is said to be a jurisprudent
Or to an insolent friend
Who is said to be president
Nice to meet you, the garbancera, Mrs. Bones,
The companion of the epitaphs of our
Flyers.
The one that appeared on the day of the dead,
The insulting snake,
The long tongue of yesteryear
Nice to meet you my dears:
Won’t you have a literary skull
-And if it’s political, better-
For me?