La Chingona adds a shrine for loved ones and invites you to be part of it
La Chingona adds a shrine for loved ones and invites you to be part of it
The new Ofrenda, a traditional shrine honoring loved ones who have passed away is now part of the La Chingona Restaurant on Avalon Way in West Seattle. The shrine will soon be expanded to let the public take part honoring their own, by bringing photos and small momentos to be added.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Thu, 08/01/2024
Sandra and Edgar Fauvet, owners of La Chingona Taqueria on Avalon Way have always honored their culture. The ingredients they use, the way meals are prepared and served are all authentic to Mexico City style cuisine. They've even decorated the restaurant with many aspects of one of the major Mexican cultural celebrations Dia De La Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditionally celebrated Nov. 1 but they felt there was something missing. Now they've filled in that missing piece.
They've created an "Ofrenda", an altar which is a tradtional way to honor loved ones who have passed away.
They typically include items like marigolds, sugar skulls, candles, and photographs of those they've lost. The tradition which originated in Mexico, combines Aztec rituals with Catholicism and celebrates the “Lady of the Dead,” Mictecacihuatl. It’s a vibrant and meaningful tradition that has spread globally, well beyond Mexico.
The primary Ofrenda is now installed honoring their own family but they are in the process of extending it and opening it to the public. They will soon welcome people to bring photos of their loved ones, small momentos all meant to be part of the celebration that will take place Nov. 1 and 2.
The artwork has it's own story. The artist is Son Duong who was born in Vietnam in 1969. He spent his first years in Saigon and as a boy would watch movie posters get changed at the theater across from his home. "It made me appreciate the artwork and want to draw," he said. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer but he chose a different path, observing and absorbing numerous styles of art, eventually getting a scholarship at the Art Institute of Seattle. He can paint in nearly any style, and does many murals including the portrait of Chris Cornell that adorns the south wall of Easy Street Records in the West Seattle Junction. You can follow him on Instagram at Son_of_a_gun1969
La Chingona has also made other changes with more on the way. They have changed their dinnerware, updated the menu and will soon introduce fresh juices including Cucumber, Orange, Mango and more. A major celebration of Dia De La Muertos is planned with live music, Catrina dancers, free coffee,chips and salsa and much more.
