Day of the Dead Festivals

We know that Halloween in the United States or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico, are the most popular and well-known celebrations on these dates. Their fame over the years has inspired thousands of movies, series, and tourists who travel to representative sites to experience these colorful celebrations more closely. In addition to these well-known events, there are many Day of the Dead festivals around the world that offer unique cultural insights and rituals for remembering the departed loved ones. 

Now, let's talk about Halloween. Most people consider it a holiday in America, but do you really know its origin? To begin with, the word comes from a short form of the English All Hallow's Eve, which means "All Saints' Eve," that is why it is celebrated on October 31st, and it is actually a celebration with Celtic roots (Ireland) from more than 3000 years ago that was called Samhain. 

The Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico 

The Mexican government describes the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, as "a celebration of memory and a ritual that privileges remembrance over forgetting." This celebration has pre-Hispanic origins and revolves around the idea that the souls of the dead return home to the world of the living to be nourished by the food placed in the offerings where they are remembered. Pan de muerto (sweet bread) and other traditional ceremonial foods are prepared as a part of these offerings. 

This Mexican tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead around the world is held on November 1st and 2nd, with elaborate altars built in homes and at grave sites. The most special thing is that the celebration actually varies in each state of the country. However, they have the same principle. Among the many cultural figures, La Catrina, the iconic skeleton lady, symbolizes the blending of life and death in Mexican culture. 

These altars, often adorned with marigold flowers (also known as flor de muerto), represent the connection between the living and the dead. In Mexico City, as well as across the country, Mexican communities and families come together to celebrate this two-day dead festival with live music, face painting, and traditional dances. Some altars even feature sugar skulls, a symbol of Mexican culture. 
 

The Samhain of the United Kingdom 

As mentioned before, this is a Celtic-origin celebration that is still very popular in England, Ireland, and Scotland, which is held on October 31st and November 1st. 

The Celts considered that on those dates, the spirits of the dead returned, so they had to leave food, sweets, candles, and roads to help the souls of the dead find their way to the light. Some also consider this tradition as the "Celtic New Year." 
 

The Ghost Festival in Taiwan 

This festival is considered one of the most representative of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Taiwan, although it is also possible to enjoy it in some places in China. Día de Muertos, or the dead festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. 

In this celebration, it is believed that the doors of hell open and let out the spirits that were ignored by the prayers, so they have to be fed through various celebrations such as parades, fireworks, and the burning of offerings. The family members of the departed souls prepare community altars decorated with favorite foods to encourage visits of the departed loved ones. 

The Obon Festival in Japan 

This celebration has a Buddhist origin; it lasts approximately 3 days and takes place in the middle of August. In this celebration, the Japanese clean their houses, visit and arrange the tombs of their deceased, practice dances, and place offerings where they put food and drinks.  

The vegetables, sake, rice, cucumbers, and eggplants are very important. For example, the cucumber symbolizes a horse that will help the souls to return faster, and the eggplant represents a cow, which will be the one that will help them return to the beyond when the celebrations are over.  

The Party of the Ñatitas in Bolivia 

This festival can be a bit disturbing for some people since it consists of a special ritual that Bolivians do with the skulls of their deceased every November 8. The celebration consists of going to the main cemetery, taking out the skulls and decorating them with flowers, ornaments, hats, glasses, or things representative of the deceased, placing them in boxes, and making an offering to them with food and drink. 

This celebration is done with the belief that the skulls of the deceased have miraculous powers that will help protect and bring abundance to the families. 
 

Ending Note 

Each form of celebrating our deceased is important, no matter what culture they come from so that we can remember them and honor their lives even when they are no longer present. From celebrating the Day of the Dead festivals in cities like San Antonio to Latin America and beyond, these celebrations show the different ways through which people connect with their departed souls. 

AXA Travel Insurance celebrates and supports the cultural traditions of several countries. So we offer benefits like emergency medical expenses, trip cancellations, or lost baggage coverage so that you can travel confidently and be a part of such unique festivals.