All photos were sourced by Jessi, via a Google search.
Hello everyone,
One of the amazing things about the Community Center is that we are based all around the world. This means that specific traditions or local events/festivals we celebrate in one area, don’t necessarily happen in others.
Over the years, we have seen wonderful posts on this in each of the different speaking CCs from hosts celebrating their local traditions and it occurred to us, that like with the CC Festival of Hospitality it would be nice to start translating these and sharing these across CC languages.
We spotted this amazing post by @Jessi7, original topic created in the Spanish speaking Community Center and translated below.
-----------------------------------------------------
In Mexico the celebration of the Day of the Dead (November 1 and 2), is one of the oldest that keeps a deep symbolism, since 2003 UNESCO recognized it as Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Throughout the Mexican territory is celebrated, each region does so in a different way, according to their traditions and location but always representing the Mexican folklore, where the dead are the protagonists of great festivities–colorful, expressive, authentic, unique.
What is the symbolism of this celebration? We can summarize it this way: it is a loving and respectful homage of the families to their deceased, where there is a clear dichotomy between the celebration and the mourning for the death.
Being present in some of them is magical, as a Mexican I feel tourists who come to my country have to give themselves the opportunity to live these occasions, so that then they can see this magic, which they will not find everywhere.
Michoacán is one of the states with more roots in this celebration. Those who are in charge of creating the magic is the Purépecha people, they make a wake in the lake and Janitzio island, on the eve of the day of the dead there is a great party, then you hear the bells ring, the souls are presented and the living gather before the mortal remains of those who have already left. But they never arrive with empty hands, they carry food, flowers, songs, memories that honor beings that are no longer materially there, the murmur of prayers all night is fascinating.
There is something constant in any of these celebrations and it is the altar of the dead, small, big, monumental, in the houses, in the schools, in public places, it doesn't matter, there you are honoring a loved one. These altars are full of symbolism, I will put some:
Cempasúchil flowers: with them the way is traced to help the soul to find its home:
Skulls: sugar, amaranth, chocolate:
Pan de muerto: delicious:
Chopped paper: believed to represent air and is present in all offerings.
Water, tequila, mezcal: Calms the thirst of traveling souls.
Portrait of the deceased: to whom the offering is dedicated.
Incense or copal: represents the olfactory guide for visiting souls.
Candles: illuminate the way of the souls to the house.
Dishes and drinks: the dead man's favorites.
Mexican sweets for the souls of the little ones.
There is something else that is always present in these festivities "the skulls" that are only epitaphs, are very Mexican compositions, which are made in a funny, ironic, mocking and can be from a deceased or living people.
"We are mortal because we are made of time and history. But there are instant exits through culture, which is a poetic act, which dissolves time, to escape history and death."- Octavio Paz.
Here the UK Halloween has become quite a big thing. Many people adults and children dress up and carve vegetables.
We thought we would get on with the pumpkin action here in our Community Team. Here are our masterpieces....
I can't quite remember who did which one, @Quincy is yours the one in the middle at the back?
Here is mine...I was a little late to the photograph...
I have to say mine isn't the scariest design in the world, I was going for a spooky house feel...but it looks like a cozy country cottage! hehe
Also, one of the nice things about the pumpkins, in keeping with our aim to reduce waste. @May (Portuguese Community Manager), took the content of the pumpkin and roasted the seeds (which we have been munching on all day). @Francesca (Italian Community Manager) has found some local residents who want to take our pumpkins away and use them for an event they are hosting and we will also we using the rest of the pumpkins as filling for some Italian pasta treats that Fran is going to help us make. 🙂
If you have any more suggestions of what we can do with our pumpkins do let us know. We would love to try it out.
Are you celebrating anything in your area over the next few days?
Thanks,
Lizzie
Great to see the activities happening around the world, I'm looking forward to seeing more. Here are a couple more photos from our teams in the London and San Francisco offices. ~ Laura
