Day of the Dead: How Are They Honored Around the World?

Traditions related to honoring the dead are as varied as the humans that inhabit the planet Earth. Although many festivities are celebrated between October 31 and November 2, such as the Day of the Dead in Mexico, All Saints' Day in Spain, Halloween in the United States, or Samhain in Ireland and Scotland; there are many others that honor the dead and do not occur on those days, such as Chuseok in South Korea, Obon in Japan, or Gai Jatra in Nepal. All these traditions share a common theme of the dead, but differ in how they are celebrated and in the places around the world where they are customary.

Celebrated on November 1, this is one of Mexico's largest festivals. The country is filled with brightly colored flowers and altars with offerings for deceased loved ones, with the sole purpose of inviting them to collect these offerings at night. They believe a kind of bridge is formed between the Afterlife and the here and now that the dead can cross to enjoy a night close to their families. It is known that the worship of death has existed since prehistoric times. In this region, pre-Hispanic indigenous people organized a feast to guide the deceased to Mictlán. Later, with the arrival of the Spaniards and the spread of Christianity, a tradition gradually emerged that is now known to be a mix of both rituals. In some areas of the south of the country, they even exhumed bodies to dust off the bones. A rite that in other parts of the world may seem strange or even terrifying.

In Spain, the night becomes darker. Not out of fear, but out of sadness. Although recently the American tradition of dressing up and scaring has been adopted, what is truly celebrated is All Saints' Day, a Catholic holiday. It has always been believed that, in a less magical way than in Mexico, the dead are more capable of contacting the living on this day, November 1. The tradition is to go to the cemetery to leave flowers on the graves of loved ones, mourn their loss, and pray for their souls. Nevertheless, legends have always existed around this day. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, for example, wrote several legends, such as 'The Mountain of Souls'.

It is believed that this is the origin of Halloween that has become so popular today. 'Samhain' means 'end of summer' and it is when it was believed that pagan ancestors returned to the world as spirits. Communities gathered around large bonfires on the green Irish hills to ward off evil spirits, a tradition that continues today in some parts of the island. Light, darkness, mischief, and change are the four main aspects of Samhain. Today, it is a ceremony of music and dance where bonfires are still lit, large meals are shared, and games with costumes are held for everyone's enjoyment. Additionally, these lands have been a significant inspiration for writing such important works as 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, who was inspired by Dublin Castle to create the Count's lair.

In North America, they do not remember their dead and pray for them. Instead, they pray for the exact opposite, for them not to appear on the night of October 31 to November 1. Although it has spread worldwide and everywhere it is believed to be a practice originating from this country, the truth is that Americans adopted Irish practices in the 19th century, when the great famine on the island caused a wave of immigration. There are many movies illustrating American Halloween as a terrifying holiday where evil spirits seek the souls and bodies of the living. Every night on October 31, children and teenagers go out dressed as skeletons, witches, mummies, and other beings, going door to door asking for candy while shouting 'trick or treat'.

In other parts of the world, they also celebrate their dead, although in ways that have nothing to do with Westernized traditions. In South Korea, Chuseok is celebrated when families gather to honor their ancestors wearing traditional attire. They have a first meal together, then visit the tombs to thank their ancestors, and finally dance in a circle while singing to request good harvests; in addition to other activities such as 'ssireum', a wrestling sport in a healthy environment.

In Japan, paper lanterns are hung to guide spirits, families dance, visit graves together, and make offerings on altars. The Obon festival is usually celebrated in mid-August, one of the country's main holiday periods. It has been celebrated for over five centuries and originates from the story of a disciple of Buddha who revived his deceased mother.

Also in August, Nepal commemorates deceased individuals with a colorful festival where cows parade through the streets alongside people during the Gai Jatra festival. For Hindus, the cow is a sacred animal, so it is considered a sign of good fortune. The festival is a way to prepare for life after death and accept reality.