Story behind the man who brought the Calavera to life in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO – For some San Antonio families, Day of the Dead means writing Calaveras which poke fun at those you love or despise through poems.

Calaveras are common in Mexico, but how did the Calavera come to San Antonio?

“One person brought them over, Moises Espino del Castillo,” said Dr. Ellen Riojas Clark, UTSA division of Bicultural-Bilingual studies. “Castillo meant castle so he then becomes the ‘Duke of Calaveras.’”

Castillo was asked to write some poetry for a local newspaper in the early 1970s.

He initially was hesitant because he was a Spanish professor and all his work was done in Spanish.

“He said no one is going to be able to read them in an English speaking paper, but none the less, he did write some and started a 30-year career in writing Calaveras,” said Clark. “I think that is just one of the most incredible things that you can single handedly say this person brought Calaveras to San Antonio, Texas.”

Find more Day of the Dead stories on KSAT.com:

• Symbolism behind Calavera in Day of the Dead traditions
• How two traditions merged to create Day of the Dead
• Ancient origins of Day of the Dead
• Meaning behind marigold flowers on Day of the Dead
• Story behind Mexican artist who inspired ‘La Calavera Catrina’
• Visit KSAT.com’s Day of the Dead section to learn more about holiday