Halloween Around The World

We are not alone in celebrating the dead and all things scary at Halloween. All around the globe, people have been celebrating death and commemorating those departed in different ways for centuries. Here are just a few. If you know of any more then please let us know.

Mexico

In Mexico, the Days of the Dead (Dia de los muertos) celebration runs from the 31 st of October though to the 2 nd of November. This celebration marks the return of dead spirits, which some see personified in migrating butterflies. Offerings are made to the deceased, and survivors visit grave sites, sitting on them in a celebration of life. Others set up altars in their home, decorating them in flowers. Places are set at the table for dead loved ones and special pumpkin bread and bread of the dead (pan de muertos) is cooked. The country fills with bones and skulls as people don skull masks called calacas and dance in honour of their deceased relatives. Sugar skulls decorated with intricate Aztec patterns and with the name of a dead person on them are eaten by a relative or friend.. Children run through the streets shouting calaveras (skulls) for candy or money.

Celts

In Scotland and Ireland, the day before the new year was celebrated as Samhain, when God took over from the Lady to rule the earth. During this transition on November the 1 st, the dead were allowed to return to earth and mingle with humans and celebrate.

China

In a part of the spring festival called “saluting the tomb,” graves are covered in red rice and peeled eggs. Paper money is burned on behalf of the dead to ensure their prosperity. During the winter, the winter dress festival is also an occasion to visit ancestral graves. This time they burn paper garments and possessions to ensure their relatives have everything they would want for a happy afterlife.

Panama City

During carnival before Ash Wednesday, they throw fish into the Ocean in a mockery of funerals called “The burial of the Sardine.”

Japan

Japanese people believe that their ancestors souls visit their houses during “Obon” days, which start of August the 13 th and last until the 16 th. During this time they prepare simple altars for the deceased and offer meals, fruit and flowers in front of the altars. They then visit their ancestors graves to bring them to their house and again to take see them off. People go home and feast all night, ending with a ritual. Paper boats containing candles are put into the water, carrying away the souls of the departed.