Day of the Dead

Death was everywhere this week. For some inexplicable reason, we carved pumpkins and dressed up our children (and some adults too) as foreign super heroes and mythical creatures.

We were not that unique though, as we joined a significant portion of the world in the financial ritual of Halloween.

Reports indicate that it is now the third biggest retail event in the UK after Christmas and Easter, generating some 300-400 million pounds in sales; this year in the USA, spending on Halloween was projected to be more than US$8 billion.

It is intriguing to me that we enthusiastically embrace this activity, but barely acknowledge our own folklore and legends which can teach us valuable life lessons. Papa Bois, protector of the forest, symbolises respect for nature, animals and living in harmony with our earth. Mama D’lo, mother of the water, inhabits rivers, can calm turbulent waters and protect those who travel on the waterways.

The story of the La Diablesse, outwardly beautiful but with a cloven foot, is described by one author as “the spirit of the woman wronged, and as such awaits the male predator … to take vengeance for transgressions against women.” The “devil woman” is not just a warning to men, but she serves as a caution to all young people not to be seduced by outward appearances or to follow strangers.

The legend of the Douens, the spirits of children who roam the forest and lure abandoned children, is not just to caution young ones to stay close to home, but can teach parents to be more vigilant in their parenting.

Diverse cultures celebrate the connection between ancestors and the living. In Mexico, “Dia de los Muertos”, the Day of the Dead, “dates back to the Aztec period and celebrants believe the spirits of their deceased loved ones return for a visit. Families build altars adorned with photographs, votive candles and items the deceased enjoyed such as food and drink – even tequila …” We’re told not to sweep at night, probably because Irish families used to sweep their homes and light a good fire to prepare for the arrival of the dead. “Memorial Day” is celebrated in the Philippines and they go door to door requesting gifts, while in Hungary on Halottak Napja, “the Day of the Dead”, they invite “orphans into the family and give them food, clothes, and toys.” Here, ancient belief systems such as Ifa/Orisha, Hindu and First Peoples’ traditions recognise a cycle of life from the child that is not yet born, to the living, to those who have left this realm.

However, as a society we have not embraced these ancient notions of continuity, having absorbed the dismissiveness and suspicion of Christian and Western European world views. We therefore reject our soucouyant while dressing as vampires, ignore the lagahoo but are fascinated by werewolf tales and call Gang Gang Sara a witch instead of a healer.

At a time when we face widespread teen pregnancies, unhealthy sexual relationships and abuse of all kinds, our folklore and legends hold unique solutions.

How much better it would be if, instead of carving pumpkins, we revived indigenous rituals to boost the economy and strengthen our nation – “Skin, skin, you na know meh!”