Festivals of the Dead are celebrated by many cultures around the world and offer a poignant, beautiful, and sometimes somewhat disturbing way to honor and remember deceased family and community members. These observances typically occur after the harvest season, falling in the months of August, September, October, or November. The festivals serve as a bridge between the living and the departed, a time to reflect on the past and contemplate the mysteries of life and death.
One of the most well-known festivals of the dead is Samhain, observed from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st. This ancient tradition, which is believed to be the precursor to Halloween, has its roots in ancient Celtic Paganism. For the Celts, Samhain marked not only the end of summer and the harvest season but also the beginning of winter, a season associated with death and the supernatural. It was believed that during Samhain, the veil separating the living from the dead grew incredibly thin, allowing spirits to visit the world of the living.
Samhain is still observed today by many Pagans and Wiccans. It is a time for people to come together to celebrate life and remember their ancestors. Various rituals are performed, including dancing, feasting, taking nature walks, and building altars to honor those who have passed on. These altars are adorned with symbols of the season, such as apples and pumpkins, as well as items that represent the spirits of the dead, such as skulls or skeletons. Additionally, photos of deceased family members are placed on these altars as a way of preserving their memory.
Some people engage in the practice of casting a circle and reminiscing about their deceased loved ones. They share stories, recounting the memories that keep their ancestors alive in their hearts. For others, a visit to the cemetery to pay respects to their family members is a more traditional way of honoring the dead.
Similar traditions exist in other cultures around the world. For example in Mexico, and for people with Mexican heritage, the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) holiday is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 may be included. In ancient Egypt, the Wag Festival was celebrated in August, and it served as a tribute to Osiris, the god of wine, death, and the underworld. This was a festival was a festival of the dead away to honor the souls of deceased loved ones as they embarked on their journey to the afterlife of Aaru (Field of Reeds).
During the Wag Festival Egyptians created small boats out of paper and set them adrift towards the west, symbolizing the souls’ voyage to the afterlife. People would float shrines made of paper on the waters of the Nile for the same reason. They would visit the tombs of ancestors with offerings and would perform rituals.
The Wag Festival is one of the oldest festivals celebrated by the Ancient Egyptians and first appears in the Old Kingdom (circa 2700 BCE). Pharaohs recorded the details of the festival on their temple walls and described the celebratory feast of bread, beer, meat, vegetables and fruits.
This festival was not just about honoring the dead but also symbolized rejuvenation and rebirth. It became connected with the birth of the god Thoth, the deity of writing, wisdom, and knowledge, who was closely associated with Osiris and the judgment of the dead. Thoth’s birth and Osiris’s rebirth were intertwined in this festival, linking the two gods in their roles in the underworld, judging and guiding souls to the afterlife.
Interestingly, the concept of trick-or-treating may have its origins in the Wag Festival. It is believed that during the festival, the spirits and bodies of some deceased relatives would join the living in feasting, while the wandering souls of those who had no family to honor them roamed the streets of the towns and villages in despair. In an act of compassion and consideration, the living left food and drink on their front porches for these wandering souls.
While the specifics of the celebrations may differ, the underlying themes in the Festivals of the Dead – remembrance, renewal, and a deep respect for the departed – remain universal. These traditions remind us of the importance of honoring our ancestors and embracing the mysteries of life and death with reverence and celebration.
~ Written in respect and remembrance of my Aunt Fae who passed away last week
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