All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day are recognized as special holidays in many countries. During this time, people take time to honor the dead and pay tributes to keep their memory alive. 

But did you know that different traditions across the globe have their own ways of celebrating the day of the dead? From simple acts of reflection to cemetery visits and even extravagant festivals, All Soul’s Day stems from various cultural beliefs that people find this day extremely important. 

Here are the different traditions observed in various countries during All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day. 

 

All Soul’s Day Traditions in Different Countries 

Philippines

As a country dominated by Catholics, the Philippines spend All Soul’s Day or Undas through family gatherings and graveyard visits where they offer prayers and recite novena prayers. Others even hold special masses for the liberation of souls from purgatory. Candles and funeral flowers popular during Undas can also be seen in almost every corner of the cemetery. Days before the holiday, families already prepare their visits by cleaning up, repainting and sometimes even beautifying the graves with decorations.

But apart from the religious practices, Filipinos also take Undas season as an opportunity to reunite and bond with their families. People travel to their respective provinces to celebrate what they usually call as ‘Pista ng mga Patay’. True to its name, the day of the dead often becomes a small fiesta or festival where ample amount of food and entertainment like videoke fill the family gatherings. 

India 

Although a large population of India is Hindu, there is also a percentage of Indian Catholics. This is why their culture of honoring the dead is almost similar to that of Filipinos. Indians make their way to the gravesites and offer prayers. They also bring funeral flower wreaths and bouquets. 

Mexico 

Also called as el Dia de Muertos, All Soul’s Day in Mexico is characterized by multi-day festive celebrations to pay respect for the deceased and pray for the souls in purgatory. It stemmed from ancient Aztec practices where people believe that the spirits travel back to the land of the living to reunite with their families on the first two days of November. 

Mexicans make colorful ofrenda or private altars where they display their departed ones’ photos and favorite food. A bread called pan de muerto is also prepared especially for the occasion. 

Aside from plenty of food, special days like these also call for drink, vibrant flowers, street procession (desfiles). Decorations of sugar skulls and skeletons, named as calaveras, also fill the streets. You can find Mexicans clad in costumes and their faces being painted with skeleton-like features when going to cemeteries.  

Peru 

Peruvians start their All Souls’ Day celebration with family and friends. They prepare a traditional meal called Lechon (roasted pork dish) with tamales. It is also part of their customs to share meals and play music in cemeteries. Gifts in the form of figurines and flowers are also offered to the dead. 

Moreover, their culture also requires eating and giving t’anta wawa to the dead. It is a sweet-rolled bread that is shaped and decorated in the form of a small child. 

Poland

In contrast to parade and festivities done in other countries, Polish people put solemnity at the heart of their All Soul’s Day (also called as Zaduszki) tribute. During this time, many streets are shut down so people can reflect in silence. You’d also find thousands of candles being lit up across cemeteries, cities, and towns in which the glow then creates breathtaking sight.  

Spain

Most of All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day celebrations are deeply rooted in the religious practices of Catholics. And since Christianity is widespread in the Spanish community, they share almost similar customs to the Filipinos. They visit cemeteries bringing candles and a bouquet of fresh flowers to honor their departed loved ones. Special tradition pastries called Huesos de Santo (Bones of the Holy) are also prepared and offered to the dead. 

Spaniards from the northern region observe castañada – a traditional festival celebrated on the “Día de Todos los Santos” (All Saints’ Day or Day of the Dead). Its origins can be traced in ancient burial rituals where families gather to eat autumn fruits like chestnuts, sweet potatoes and pumpkins, which are toasted on the fire. During this period, spirits are believed to return home to join the feast. 

Austria

The All Saints’ Day tradition in Austria is characterized by Allerheiligenstriezel, braided yeasts that godfathers give out to their godchildren. This culture can be traced back to antiquity where women express grief and mourning by cutting off their hair, which is usually braided. 

Haiti 

Feast of the Dead or Festival of the Ancestors is called Fet Gede in Haiti. It begins with a pilgrimage to the Grand Cemetery in Port-au-Prince. Rituals, music, and dance are also part of their customs to honor the spirits of the cemetery’s guardian and souls’ messenger – Baron Semedi and Papa Gede. 

Guatemala

If other countries visit tombs and offer prayers, thousands of people from Guatemala flock the town of Sumpango to celebrate the Giant Kite Festival. Locals spend months creating gigantic kites with a diameter range from 6 ft to 60 ft. These kites of various shapes and colors are flown to the sky during All Saints’ Day because families believe that they can communicate with their lost loved ones through the kites. 

Guatemalans accompany this kite festival with joyful activities filled with food and drink, music, and dancing.  A special dish called El Fiambre – which has fish, sausages, eggs, and cheese with a special dressing – is also prepared for about two days. 

People also come to witness a horse race, known as Ribbon Race or Carrera de Cintas. Riders wear costumes with boasting feathers and special jackets as they stay in their horses the entire day. In effect, Marimba music is played all day. They also drink alcohol or aguardiente as they round on a 328-foot track. No winners or losers are recognized in this race and neither can riders get punished for falling. 

Different countries may have various traditions of honoring the dead. Whether it be through silent reflections or joyous festivals, one thing is for sure – people find this the perfect time to express their love for the departed ones. And as you anticipate All Soul’s Day and All Saints’ Day this year, be sure to make the necessary preparations and make it a memorable one. 

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