5 Festivals in the World Themed on Death!

These are 5 Festivals in the World Themed on Death! For some, death is seen as a gateway to an eternal and eternal world. But sometimes the dying relatives leave their sorrow with them. To honor family members who died first, many people around the world hold special celebrations for those who passed away.

The festival is also used as a gathering place for families while remembering relatives who have passed away. Each country also has its own unique festivals. Know here 5 world festivals based on death.

Very Unique, These are 5 Festivals of the Dead All Around the World

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) | (Image: BestColleges)

If you’ve watched Disney’s animated movie Coco (2017), you’re definitely familiar with the death festival. This festival originated in Mexico. Mexicans believe that the spirits of their deceased relatives will visit them on the eve of Dia de los muertos.

On this night, family members who are still alive will make a pilgrimage to the graves of their deceased relatives. Usually, this family member brings his brother’s favorite things and food during her stay. The celebrations will also come alive with live music and dance parades. Mexicans will look attractive by decorating their faces like a skull. very unique!

Halloween

Halloween
Halloween (Image: The StoryPedia)

It is one of the most famous death-themed festivals around the world. The festival, usually held in October, is said to have originated from an ancient Celtic cultural festival with pagan roots. The festival is also associated with the eve of All Saints’ Day in Western Christianity.

At this festival, people will wear unique and scary costumes. They’ll also play tricks or treats, share horror stories, and carve pumpkin Jack O’ Lantern. Increasingly, this festival is not only celebrated by many religious parties but has turned into a costume party festival that is celebrated by various world communities.

Chuseok festival

Chuseok festival
Chuseok festival (Image: Australia-Korea Business Council)

The festival originates from the land of ginseng in South Korea. This festival is held in autumn or also known as the harvest season. During the festival, Koreans will visit their hometowns to gather with their families and also make pilgrimages to the graves of their ancestors.

They used to make special offerings to their ancestors by making altars. The altar will be served with the meal and the harvest will be available in the fall. Songpyeon cake is one of the commonly served cakes during this festival.

Obon festival

Obon festival
Obon festival (Image: Savvy Tokyo)

Held in August, this festival is one of the most popular summer festivals in Japan. The timing of celebrating this festival varies from region. The festival is interpreted as a place for family reunions and remembering their ancestors who have died. Some Japanese still believe that their ancestors would come back to visit them during this festival.

In Japan, the Obon festival is one of the most sacred festivals. They would visit the tomb and light a small fire as a sign of the ancestral spirits returning home. Others also light lanterns near tombs and in front of houses to guide spirits. The lantern parade organized in this festival makes it holy and festive.

Famadihana

Famadihana
Famadihana (Image: exactdn)

Famadihana is one of the unique death festivals in Madagascar. This festival is quite extreme for the visiting tourists. At this festival, the people of Madagascar used to dig the graves of their ancestors to get wine. This tradition is also known as the turning of the bones. The bodies exhumed from the graves will be paraded by family members and other residents and invited to dance together.

Before drinking wine, the body that has been in the form of bones will be dressed first. The bones are carefully wrapped in a silk cloth and sprinkled with aroma. This tradition of honoring ancestors has been going on for centuries in Madagascar.

It’s interesting to talk about death-themed festivals from around the world. Which of the five festivals mentioned above do you think is the most unique?

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