“Trick or Treat!”. This phrase echoes on every doorstep in America on the last night of October. Out the streets are a spectacle of porches adorned with creepy and spooky Halloween-themed decorations and children parading the streets in their cute costumes with bags to collect candies and sweets. This is how October ends to welcome November in the land of the free. This scene, however, is different elsewhere. Beyond the scenes of skeletons, bats, and pumpkins are vastly diverse spectacles.
Far from the American tradition of spook and fright, many cultures around the world welcome the month of November with traditions and practices to honor the dead. Around the world, October is more commonly concluded through preparations for tomorrow’s festivities. November First sees celebrations that are rooted in religion and showcase the vibrant and diverse culture, tradition, and even cuisine of countries around the world.
One of the most notable counterparts of American Halloween is Mexico’s “Dia de los Muertos,” or Day of the Dead. Quite ironic to the celebration’s name, Mexico’s Day of the Dead is vibrant and full of life and color. Locals create altars adorned with what is locally known as Cempasuchil or Marigolds in honor of their deceased loved ones. Cempasuchils, according to Aztec traditions, are considered a sacred representation of the sun. In Mexican traditions, these flower petals are believed to be the bridge of the souls that guide them to their families. A photo of the deceased loved one is also displayed on the altar, lit up with candles. Streets and homes are filled with multi-colored banners known as papel picados, which add to the vibrance of the celebration. In this 2-day celebration, Mexicans believe that the spirit of the departed goes out to visit their family, joining them in a joyous celebration. This celebration dates back more than 3,000 years ago. “Dia de los Muertos” is one of the most internationally known First of November celebrations, with it being the setting of multiple animated films like “Coco” and “The Book of Life.”
In Italy, One of the most notable festivals is the “Festa dei Morti” or Feast of the Dead. Celebrated every November 2, this is a celebration centered on remembering deceased loved ones and, quite surprisingly, on kids’ enjoyment as well. On the day of “Festa dei Morti” kids who are well-behaved wake up to treats and sweets. Italian’s Day of the Dead precedes “Ognissanti” or All Saints Day, a day that honors all saints in heaven. The consecutive observance of these sees a display of religious traditions and culinary excellence. Italians prepare special delicacies during “Festa dei Morti” and “Ognissanti”. Among the most famous are “la frutta martonara” or “the martyr’s fruit” , which are preserved candied fruits. Another notable delicacy is “Dita degli apostoli” or “Apostles fingers” which are sweet cream-filled pastries.
In Guatemala, the “Barriletes Gigantes” Festival, which translates to “Giant Kites Festival” marks the start of November. Giant, colorful kites are seen flying over cemeteries during the celebration of the Day of the Dead. These kites range from 20 feet to 65 feet in size, vary in color, and are often hand-painted. One beautiful feature of these kites that adds to the solemnity of the festival is the messages attached to the tails of the kites dedicated to the loved one who passed. This tradition is rooted in the belief that on November First, bad spirits come to cemeteries to disturb the souls of the dead. They believed that the sound of wind touching paper would draw them away; this is where the tradition of flying kites came from. This festival is a mix of Hispanic and Mayan influences.
Celebrated in the Philippines, “Undas” is one notable November First and Second celebration in the eastern hemisphere. This predominantly religious celebration sees people flocking to the cemeteries for two days to offer flowers, food, and prayers. The country’s celebration of “Undas” revolves around heritage, traditions, and cuisines. People often offer food in front of altars. The recipe behind each has been passed down from one generation to another. One of the most famous traditional “Undas” delicacies is Biko. It is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar and is enjoyed by all during the two-day celebration. Another prominent “Undas” cuisine is the Pancit. Pancit takes various forms; for example, the Ilocano Molo Soup, known to some natives as “Pancit ng Patay” (“Pancit of the Dead”), is a soup with hand-rolled and hand-cut pasta and is usually made by hand by varying generations of a family.
Trick or Treat? More like Trick or Feast! From vibrant banners and bright cempasuchils of Mexico to sweet pastries and bread of Italy, to colorful kite-spangled skies in Guatemala, to traditional culinary displays in the Philippines. There is far more to what happens within our borders, for far beyond this, there is a kaleidoscope of colors, each telling a different story from another. The traditions, the food, and the sense of community are what make these celebrations unique and distinct from one another. These scenes tell us a story of how culture and traditions binds us all as a diverse global community. Far from the scene of kids in costumes and porches made to look creepy are vast spectacles that showcase tradition, culture, and rich heritage that circles Family, Community, and Culinary.
