The monster lurches to life, rising from a dirt berm at the foot of the Sangre de Cristos. His daunting face quakes from the surrounding flames and smoke, with his arms surging overhead. Shrieks erupt from a swarm of people—not out of fear, but exhilaration. They know, as The City Different has known for the past 100 years, that his end is near.
His name is Zozobra (a Spanish word that roughly translates to “feelings of anxiety”), and while he plans to taunt innocent onlookers at Fort Marcy Park, the Fire Spirit will soon engulf him, restoring hope and happiness to Santa Fe for another year.
Most New Mexicans grew up with this gloomy character ingrained in our social fabric, permanently woven into northern New Mexico culture like the piñon trees rooted in our foothills. I was raised in Las Cruces, but even as a college student, I felt that Zozobra was worth the 4-hour drive from New Mexico State.
In 2018, our family hosted our first-ever exchange student, a 17-year-old named Adam Abusang. Zozobra was the perfect welcome party, as Adam had just arrived 48 hours prior from Ghana in West Africa. What better way to introduce him to New Mexican culture?
As we sauntered into Fort Marcy Park, clouds overhead turned a menacing shade of deep purple and the atmosphere was electric. Adam’s bright, excited smile told me he was ready for adventure, even after traveling nearly 7,000 miles and finding himself staring down a maniacal marionette in the heart of the desert.