Festival of the Dead orFeast of Ancestors[1] is held by many cultures throughout the world in honor or recognition of deceased members of the community, generally occurring after theharvest in August, September, October, or November.
In many cultures a single event,Festival of the Dead, lasting up to 3 days, was held at the end of October and beginning of November; examples include thePeruvians, thePacific Islanders, the people of theTonga Islands, the ancientPersians, ancientRomans, and the northern nations ofEurope.[1] The country ofMexico celebratesDía de Muertos from October 31 to November 2.[2]
InAncient Egypt the Wag Festival took place in early August (known asThout in the Coptic language). During this holiday people would leave small boats in rivers as a way to remember Osiris' death and honour their deceased loved ones during their journey to the afterlife ofAaru.[3]
In Europe, historians have thought the three- day festival of the dead is a ritualistic remembrance of thedeluge in which Halloween the first night is depicting the wickedness of the world before the flood. The second night is spent celebrating the saved who survived the deluge and the last night is meant as an honoring to those who would repopulate the Earth.[4][page needed] According to Irish mythology, Samhain (like Bealtaine) was a time when the 'doorways' to the Otherworld opened, allowing supernatural beings and the souls of the dead to come into our world; while Bealtaine was a summer festival for the living, Samhain was essentially a festival for the dead.[citation needed] The dead were also honoured at Samhain. The beginning of winter may have been seen as the most fitting time to do so, as it was a time of 'dying' in nature. The souls of the dead were thought to revisit their homes seeking hospitality. Places were set at the dinner table and by the fire to welcome them.[citation needed]
The country of Mexico celebratesDía de Muertos from October 31 to November 2. In Mexico, the people celebrate their dead family members with beautiful decorations and festivities, believing that they come back from the dead to enjoy a night with their families before heading back to the afterlife. This holiday was influenced by both the ChristianAllhallowtide and practices left over by the indigenous people.[5]
InJapaneseBuddhist customs, the festival honoring the departed spirits of one'sancestors is known as theBon Festival and is held in July or August.[6]
For families in the Philippines, Filipinos visit departed loved ones in the cemeteries every November 01 and 02.
For Hindus, ancestors are venerated duringPitru Paksha. It is based on theHindu lunar calendar and the period lasts for 16 days, falling towards the beginning of September.[7]
InNepal, the popular festival ofGai Jatra honors the deceased, and is observed in the month ofBhadra, the date of which corresponds to the first day of the month ofGunla in the lunarNepal Era calendar.[8]
El Dia de los Muertos has many names across South America including:El Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased);El Día de los Santos (Day of the Saints);Todos Santos (All Saints);El Día de las Ánimas (Day of the Souls); andEl Día de las Ánimas Benditas (Day of the Blessed Souls). A combination of Pre-Columbian and Catholic celebrations, El Dia de Los Muertos involves visiting cemeteries, candelight vigils, and offerings to deceased family members.[9]
Festival of the Dead.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Festival of the Dead.
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