Altar display marks all souls day
In years past we’ve seen how the occasion is observed in Mexico as well as by residents of Benque Viejo del Carmen. This week the House of Culture in Belize City is doing its own exhibition to honour the dearly departed. Jacqueline Woods Reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The celebration, known as Hanal Pixan or food of the souls is similar to the Spanish ritual Finados, or the dead. Both cultures believe that every year on October thirty-first and November first, all souls of the dead return to earth for a visit. An altar of the dead is prepared on which food and other treats enjoyed in life by the dearly departed are offered to them upon their return.
Froyla Salam, Researcher, ISCR
?Yes, we actually believe that. For example my sister got up at three this morning to prepare food for her deceased father-in aw. So, by six o? clock this morning the caldo was ready, the chocolate drink was ready and then they made an altar for him in the house with candles and incense burning and in front of his photograph placed his caldo and hot corn tortillas that he eats. So, after that offering is made to him, then the whole family sits down and start to eat. So it?s kind of like the celebration of both the living and the dead. There is nothing sinister about it; it is just the celebration of life and death in memory of this man who died.?
It takes families about one week to prepare for the event however, for the first time the House of Culture is inviting the general public to a display and video presentation of the event.
Froyla Salam
?It?s a recognition that these rituals and practices still go on today, but you don?t really hear about it. All we hear about is Halloween and dressing up in costumes trick or treating and what we wanted to bring out is that Halloween is a recent thing and there is nothing wrong with celebrating it. It?s good that people like to dress up in costumes but at the same time, individuals all over the country especially rural areas, set up their own homemade altar and they celebrate their immediate death; dead people. Whereas Halloween more ghoulish; it?s about fun. There is nothing really serious or religious about it. But with this practice to altar the dead, there is a connection that?s missing from Halloween and like I said before it?s individuals within families or communities who gather together and it?s just a memorial for the dead.?
The exhibition will run until Friday. Students especially are asked to attend. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
