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Author Topic: Happy Day of the Dead
skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 01 November 2001 11:27 AM      Profile for skdadl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
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  |  IP: Logged
sherpafish
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1568

posted 01 November 2001 11:56 AM      Profile for sherpafish   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Nothing that meaningful for me. Just dressed up like Indiana Jones (the whip is so much fun) and caught the Van Symph Orch acompanying 'Nosfaratu'. The conductor was named Gillian Anderson (no, not that GA) and just before the show, some putz shouted out 'SCULLY!', and made the entire orchestra mis-start. Twas the first full-mooned Hallowed Evening in 47(?) years.
From: intra-crainial razor dust | Registered: Oct 2001  |  IP: Logged
Victor Von Mediaboy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 554

posted 01 November 2001 12:03 PM      Profile for Victor Von Mediaboy   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
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  |  IP: Logged
skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 01 November 2001 12:07 PM      Profile for skdadl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
just before the show, some putz shouted out 'SCULLY!', and made the entire orchestra mis-start.


From: gone | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
N.R.KISSED
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1258

posted 02 November 2001 06:44 PM      Profile for N.R.KISSED     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
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  |  IP: Logged
skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 03 November 2001 12:39 PM      Profile for skdadl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Yes, NRK, I gave the ancient European festivals short shrift above, but I am a great fan of Samhain (and I'd better be, given my marriage to an ancient Celt ). The Celts: still the secret glue of the world, eh?

Besides, along with Hogmanay, that gives us two New Year'ses, and who could turn down an extra one of those?


From: gone | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
N.R.KISSED
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1258

posted 03 November 2001 01:19 PM      Profile for N.R.KISSED     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I believe in celebrating all New Years. I need as many opportunities to start again as possible.
From: Republic of Parkdale | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 03 November 2001 01:24 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Persian new year is March 20th. First day of spring. Mark it on your calendar. (Do they celebrate that one in Afghanistan as well?)
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 03 November 2001 07:25 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
This year, a celebration of an attempt to blow up Parliament would seem in bad taste, but I still wish we had Guy Fawkes Day in Canada.

Who couldn't love:

Remember, remember
the Fifth of November,
the Gunpowder Treason and Plot!
I know of no reason
why the Gunpowder Treason
should ever be forgot!


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged

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