The Darkest Holiday & Remembrances of The Dead

Book excerpt: Death is an inescapable and natural component of the human experience. As the human brain evolved, humanity recognized that all living things would ultimately perish. Even after recognizing this reality, human beings have struggled to let go of loved ones. When family members or friends pass away, individuals feel compelled to dedicate a particular time to honoring and remembering them. As a result of this desire, the majority of civilizations, ancient or contemporary, have established a particular festival dedicated to remembering the deceased. Additionally, many civilizations have established festivals devoted to death, possibly as a means of reconciling with the inevitable demise of all living things. Numerous Western nations have comparable customs for commemorating the deceased. For instance, the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, and Iceland all observe the Halloween holiday in some manner. This festival has recently gained popularity among youngsters in other European nations. Today, Halloween has become extremely commercialized, and as a result, it has lost much of its spiritual significance. Nonetheless, it began as a day commemorating death. Certain Halloween-like festivities were initially devoted to loved ones who had died, rather than to death itself. Day of the Dead is one such holiday, which is observed in a number of Latin American nations, including Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Due to the Spanish colonization of most of Latin America, there is a significant connection between Day of the Dead and the Christian festivals All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day, and Soul Saturday Radonitsa, which honor dead saints and ancestors. When All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day were introduced and established as holidays in the new Spanish colonies, the indigenous people maintained their own days of mourning and refused to embrace the Spanish customs. However, throughout time, the Spanish and indigenous traditions surrounding the holidays became entwined, resulting in the formation of new rituals. Today's Day of the Dead festivities include aspects of indigenous traditions as well as All Saints' and All Souls' Days. Additionally, several of Halloween's iconic traditions have impacted these festivities. The resultant festival honors death in general while also paying tribute to an individual's dead forefathers and mothers. Certain cultures have festivals dedicated to remembering dead relatives. On Tomb Sweeping Day, a large number of people in Asian nations such as China and Taiwan visit graves to pay tribute to their ancestors. Families gather at their loved ones' graves to clean and adorn them. They make meals for themselves and for the dead. The Ghost Festival is also observed throughout Asia. This celebration features lavish feasts for the living and the dead. People think that their dead ancestors come to the realm of the living at this time to partake in the feasts and interact with their family. Be Safe with Your family & friends. If you like this, Buy Your Copy Now. Have a Wonderful day.