EL ALTO, Bolivia. During Bolivia’s Day of the Dead festivities, an artist is taking a heartfelt approach to a centuries-old tradition by carving lifelike faces of the deceased onto special bread, creating a unique tribute to loved ones. Bolivian artist William Luna’s creations reflect a deep connection between the living and the departed through a traditional bread known as “tantawawa” — an Aymara word meaning “baby bread.”
On November 2, families gather to remember those who have passed by setting up altars laden with food, flowers, and photos. Traditionally, “tantawawa” bread is adorned with generic plaster faces, but Luna’s vision adds a deeply personal touch, carving faces that bear a striking resemblance to the loved ones being remembered. Luna began this practice in 2017, inspired by the loss of his own mother.
“Families ask for the masks to resemble their deceased loved ones as closely as possible,” Luna shared. “I focus on each person’s distinctive features, as we all have something special that sets us apart.”
To create these detailed masks, Luna works from photographs, carefully shaping clay to capture each person’s likeness. He then makes a plastic mold from the clay, fills it with plaster, and finishes by painting the mask, often with input from the family. The entire process takes about a week, but Luna says the resulting piece allows families to feel a lasting connection with their departed loved ones.
Milton Eyzaguirre, an anthropologist from Bolivia’s National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, explained that “tantawawa” bread has pre-Hispanic roots. Originally made with quinoa flour, today it is crafted from wheat. “Our tradition holds that souls return hungry and thirsty, and that is why families have food waiting for them,” Eyzaguirre added.
By carving faces onto “tantawawa,” Luna provides families with a tangible way to see their loved ones again. “Even if it’s only in this way,” he said, looking thoughtfully at the plaster faces of those who have passed.
This custom brings a modern yet deeply personal element to Bolivia’s enduring Day of the Dead traditions, highlighting the resilience of cultural memory and honoring the lives of those who came before.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
