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Topic: Happy Day of the Dead
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skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478
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posted 01 November 2001 11:27 AM
In the Western Christian church today is All Saints' Day (All Hallows, thus Hallowe'en last evening) and tomorrow is All Souls' Day; on the first the faithful remember the saints, and on the second, the dead. In Mexico both days are called the Day of the Dead; the first tends to be reserved for remembering children who have died, and the second for adults. Like the European holy days, the Mexican Day of the Dead is an ancient festival that pre-dated Christianity: the Spanish moved the Aztec festival from the summertime to transform it from a "pagan" celebration into a Christian one. Buddhists in China and Japan have a similar festival in August when they welcome their ancestors to return to their homes, and then send them off again peacefully with ceremonial fires and fireworks. Well -- I thought it would be interesting to reflect on these (obviously deeply rooted, maybe once universal?) folk festivals today, and perhaps to give a thought to the old ancestors. Anyone have an old ancestor to honour this day? A gravesite to sweep and spruce up? Other plans?
From: gone | Registered: May 2001
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Victor Von Mediaboy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 554
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posted 01 November 2001 12:03 PM
I forgot to buy bus tickets and I had no change for the bus, so I had to walk a couple of kilometers in the pouring rain to buy bus tickets from the closest drug store. Then I waited for about 20 muinutes in the rain for a bus to come so I could go home.After that, I had no desire to go out partying. I made myself a really nice turkey breast with peanut sauce and a salad. I surfed the net a little and watched The West Wing. Then I watched some of The Shining on Citytv before I went to bed. At midnight my gf showed up at my door. She was out at a club for a Halloween party and she didn't want to go all the way back to her place. She was dressed as a belly-dancer, but I was half-asleep so I didn't notice. That's my Halloween story for 2001.
From: A thread has merit only if I post to it. So sayeth VVMB! | Registered: May 2001
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N.R.KISSED
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1258
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posted 02 November 2001 06:44 PM
I'm not sure if you knew this Skdadl but Oct.31 is also Celtic new Years celebrated as the festival Samhain (pronounced sowen).It is also a day in which the veil between our world and the spirit world is at its thinnest. So NOV. 1 is the first day of the New Year. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE, CELTS AND CELTOPHILES ALIKE For more info on Samhain (including our friend Jack Chick's take on Samhain) check this out [ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: N.R.KISSED ]
From: Republic of Parkdale | Registered: Aug 2001
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