Purple Kappa: Dia de los Muertos

The Kappa In Japanese Folklore

Kappas are legendary creatures that inhabit the rivers and waterways of Japan. They have beaked noses, shells on their back and a depression on their heads that holds water. Kappa are mischievous troublemakers. Their pranks range from the relatively innocent, such as loudly passing gas or looking up women's kimonos, to the more troublesome such as drowning swimmers and eating children. They feed on their victims by sucking their liver though their anus. They love cucumbers and if you write your name on a cucumber and throw it in the river, the kappa may be appeased by your gift and allow you to swim in peace.

November 02, 2011

Dia de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead is a happy, colorful celebration in many Latin American countries. The indigenous people believe the souls of the dead return each year to visit their loved ones. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the date was eventually changed to coincide with All Saints Day on November 1st.

Cleveland has a large Hispanic population and in recent years the Day of the Dead has been celebration with a parade, mock cemetery, altars and other festivitites at

at Cleveland Public Theater's Parish Hall