What comes to your mind when you hear the term death celebrations?
For some, their minds immediately go to Halloween. However, for others, it’s a tad bit more than that. See, the great thing about Halloween is you dress up in ghoulish vibes and end up at people’s doorsteps for trick or treating. But that’s just the fairytale or lightweight aspect of it all.
In different cultures around the globe, you’ll be amazed to find out how death celebrations are a mind-blowing affair. Without a doubt, death is an integral part of life. And it’s something that we can’t ignore, no matter what culture you belong to.
Howver, the unique ways that many mark the end of life can be pretty daunting, to say the least. And for that reason, we thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at it all.
The day of the dead in the land of the Mexicans
Also termed as Dia de los Muertos, this holiday dates back centuries ago. Think along the lines of the age-old Aztec Empire. Blended with the famous Catholic celebrations called All Souls’ Day- here is where the fun begins.
Certainly colorful and dead don’t go hand in hand. However, here, it’s a whole different ballgame altogether. Here, families gather together to clean as well as decorate graves of dead loved ones. Moreover, you’ll find plenty of skeleton decorations and costumes too.
Celebrating death in the country of Malaysia
Ari Muyang in Malaysia is all about a day that’s designated to a specific tribe called the Mah Meri tribe. This makes up a tiny fraction of the nation’s population. Here, is where they celebrate the dead, alongside a day that’s reserved specifically for dancing too.
Chuseok in Korea- honoring dead ancestors
In Korea, a three-day harvest festival begins by the name of Chuseok.point 210 |
Moreover, on these 3 days, citizens honor their dead ancestors.point 54 | And that’s why around 30 million people gather to pay a visit to loved ones and their hometowns.point 139 | Some simply pray and keep them in their well wishes while others clear up the tombs of immediate loved ones, offering them food and drink.point 253 | 1
Pitru Paksha in India- unique death celebrations
In death celebrations like these, many Hindu people pay homage to ancestors that date up to 7 generations back.point 247 |
Moreover, rituals comprise bathing in large sacred ponds as well as rivers.point 64 | Other than that, they offer continuous prayers as well as edibles.point 120 | Their belief is that loved ones return from the afterlife on this day for the night of the feast.point 199 | 1
Obon in Japan- a death-themed holiday
This Buddhist holiday is usually marked in the country of Japan for over 500 years. Here is where families gather together to clean as well as decorate the graves of long-lost loved ones.
The famous Hungry Ghost Festival in China
Lasting for a mega month, here is where traditional belief takes center stage. During the 7th month of the lunar year, spirits roam the earth. Hence to appease these spirits, people burn out a number of offerings just for them, while leaving out some food too.
Cambodia’s Pchum Ben
Tagged as one of the most significant festivals in the Khmer culture, here is where people visit the local temples. While praying and making a number of offerings to their dead, they also celebrate with buffalo races and some wrestling too.
Night of ancestral spirits in Galungan, Bali
Balinese tradition states that this is the night for all ancestral spirits to descend downwards and return back to their homes. That is why many make great efforts to entertain them or else they fear the spirits will haunt them for years.
Nepal’s Gai Jatra- honoring the dead while honoring cows
While the festival honors cows, it also makes great efforts at honoring the dead too. Hence, you’ll be shocked to see cattle paraded down the streets, which many people believe guides spirits to the afterlife.
Guy Fawkes Night in the United Kingdom
While less of the severe death celebrations kind, people dress up during the fall and parade around the fire. On November 5th, legend says that a man named Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the whole British parliament but didn’t succeed at doing so.
For more trending stories from around the globe, don’t forget to take a look at our article 10 Of The Most Insanely Scary Illusions That Redefine Horror.