Remembering Our Ancestors

Remembering Our Ancestors

As I begin my preparations for my altar for Dia de Muertos. I was reminded of a conversation I had with a non-native friend some time ago. She loves the celebration of Dia de Muertos and wanted to have an altar in her home but ultimately decided not to because of cultural appropriation. This friend is very knowledgeable in Latin culture and is a wonderful ally. I recall telling her as long as it is done with good intentions I don’t see it as appropriation. 

It got me thinking of this course I recently participated in. My profesora was describing the differences regarding appropriation vs appreciation. Culture appropriation is taking an element of a culture to use it for your own interest. For instance not understanding the cultural value a ceremony holds. Or partaking in something because it’s trendy. 

Whereas cultural appreciation aligns more with learning about other cultures in a respectful way. You do research and ask questions. Attend community events with humility and with an open heart to observe rather than take up space. 

I grew up Catholic and we honored All Souls Day. Candles would be lit and prayers would be said for those who have passed on. Graves would be visited and kept clean. Which is similar to Dia de Muertos. Growing up we never had altars around our home. It wasn’t until adulthood that I had been reminded of this celebration. Even still it would be many years later with the passing of a very close Tio that would give me the encouragement to set up an altar in my home. 

So many different cultures have their own special ways of honoring their ancestors that hold very similar elements to one another. In Japan, Obon or Bon Festival is a Buddhist event to commemorate their ancestors. Traditionally, lanterns are hung outside of homes to guide their ancestors' spirits, obon dances are performed, graves are visited and food offerings are made to home altars. At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world.

Taiwanese people celebrate the Qingming Festival to honor their ancestors. After a lantern festival they visit their ancestors' tombs. They trim the grass and clean the graves. Yellow papers are places to keep bad spirits away. Willow branches are also placed on altars as a sign of protection. Offerings of food and drinks are given. Memorials are recorded at the family temples. 

Samhain is a Celtic tradition that welcomes in the harvest and ushers in “the dark half of the year.” It is believed that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world are at their thinnest during Samhain, allowing more interaction. A fire ceremony is held to speak out the names of lost loved ones. While facing West a crossing over song is sung. Then there is a celebration of feasting, music and dancing. 

Due to cultural assimilation many of us (myself included) are disconnected to the history of our own indigenous roots. As I dig deeper into my own ancestry I am learning how to connect with my indiginous culture not only here in America but also my Spanish indigenous culture, pre colonisation. How are you reviving your own ancestry?

📷: Gerardo Covarrubias