On the night of Halloween, we all sat outside around the computer to look at the picture of Estela in her costume. Sofi wouldn't stop asking when we were going to go Trick Or Treating. I was at the point of handing out candy to the neighbors and telling them to give it to Sofi when she knocks on their door. (I still might do that next year). But luckily, we were invited to come see the elementary school kids perform and see their altars at their Day of The Dead festival.
The altars were beautiful, each one unique to the person they were honoring. Although the dates line up with Catholic holidays, they really have nothing to do with each other. This is a continuation of the traditions of the indigenous people long before the nuns and priests arrived. They celebrated death not as an end of life, but as a passing on and beginning of another life in the after life. On this day that they honored the Goddess of Death, they believed that the spirits of those who had already left this life were allowed a day to come back and see their family and friends.
I was a little hesitant of the word "altar" since I believe that only God and God as Man (Jesus) are to be worshipped, but it definitely does not have the same meaning. Petals of marigolds (the Aztec Flower of Death) are left in a line from the street up to where the altar is, and it is decorated with (especially) foods that the loved ones used to enjoy (maybe even a beer or a cigarette if that was their thing), and possibly some of their possessions (especially toys if it was a child) and a photo. There is a large amount of detail put into the selection and decoration of each altar, which vary incredibly from one to the other.
I put the kids to the test, asking them "Why salt? Why is this one all white? Who is that dog?" Someone always piped up and answered, sometimes nudged by a niece or nephew of ours that insisted that I really don't bite.
When I asked why so many people do this even if maybe they don't believe that spirits really come back for the day, a nice lady told me a few things. First, tradition and customs are very important to them, to not forget where and who they came from. Second, they used to believe that since this was the opportunity for the spirits to see us one time this year, that we should show them that we are doing well (we have food to share!), we are happy, and we haven't forgotten about them. Even if you just imagined having being able to have another day with the spiritual presence of your loved ones that had passed, you would want to welcome them like this.
Many also went to the graveyards (whole trucks full of people at a time) to clean up their family's graves and decorate them with flowered wreaths. I didn't make it out to the graveyard as we were busy in the morning and the afternoon/evening was met with heavy rains and wind (like, laid down a lot of sugar cane, kind of wind). But, there is always next year!
At the school, each grade level (no more than 20 kids each) dressed in theme and performed a song with dance. It was so fun to watch! Sofi cackled at their antics! There was a lot of laughing and clapping along.
And yes, all the guys here dance! I really need to learn how to dance, like, really. :-)
Cutest skeletons ever!
Some were a bit camera shy, and some were not at all. Ehh, they'll all get used to me one day! There were some cell phones and even one Nintendo DS taking pictures, but no cameras, so many ladies came up to me asking for me to get pictures of their child/grandchild.
It is a great opportunity among families to talk about ones that are gone from this life and enjoying their new life, share stories, and remember... to show that if they could see us today, that we are happy, healthy, and blessed.
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