Have you chosen your costume yet? As the cold weather draws in and essay deadlines approach, Halloween comes as a welcome distraction. You might be planning for a party, a night out, or a creepy night in with a classic horror film. You’re probably also feeling pretty nostalgic about your trick-or-treating years, and perhaps buying yourself some seasonal sweeties.
In all the excitement, the traditional roots of the holiday are often forgotten. The changing of the season has long been believed to create a brief window of time in which the souls of the deceased can cross over between this world and the next. Halloween has its roots in the celebration of Allhallowtide during which time Christians remember the dead; relatives, saints and martyrs. It has also evolved, in part, from an old Celtic holiday called Samhain which involved, among other things, dressing up in ghoulish disguises to make yourself indistinguishable from the ghosts.
If you love Halloween, you might like to add these similar celebrations from around the world to your travel bucket list…
Obon
In Japan, it is believed that the spirits of the ancestors return in mid-August to be reunited with their families. Paper lanterns are lit and families gather to visit the graves of their loved ones. The chochin lanterns, as they are known, are said to guide the spirits home. At the end of the holiday, the lanterns are floated down a river to the ocean. This beautiful spectacle is said to lead the spirits away again until the following year.
Another aspect of the celebration involves dressing up in summer kimonos and going to dance in parks, shrines and temples. The night is lit by fires and lanterns, the smell of incense fills the air and the rhythm of the Japanese taiko drums guide the dancers. These Bon Odori dances are open to anyone, so if you are lucky enough to be in Japan during Obon, follow the crowd and dance along!
Dia de los Muertos
The well-known Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday to honour friends and family members who have passed away. It is seen as a time for families to be together, visit the grave sites and share memories. Typically the graves are decorated with bright flowers and photos or other mementos, along with the person’s favourite foods and the famous sugar skulls. Comical statues of skeletons dancing or carrying out daily chores can also be seen.
Visit Mexico between October 31st and November 2nd to wander around the colourfully adorned graveyards and sample the Pan de Muerto (a sweet bread, often in the shape of a skull).
The Turning of the Bones
Another cultural tradition relating to deceased family members is Famadihana or the ‘Turning of the Bones’ in Madagascar. According to the Malagasy belief system the spirit of a person does not leave this world and join that of the ancestors until their body is completely decomposed and certain ceremonies have been conducted. Every 2-6 years a meeting is held at the family crypt and the bodies are delicately removed. They are often sprayed with perfume or wine, wrapped in fresh silk cloths and danced with, or sat to the table for a meal as a sort of family reunion.
However, this custom is becoming less frequent having been met with the disapproval of Catholic missionaries in the country.
Although it might appear macabre the Famadihana ceremonies are all about love, remembrance and togetherness.
Photo credits
http://www.dulich.chudu24.com/t/a/2584/le-hoi-obon-am-ap-cua-xu-so-mat-troi-moc.html
http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/turning-bones-and-madagascar-dance-dead-001346