My fellow genealogy enthusiasts, have you seen the Pixar movie Coco? It's a lavish animation about the Latin American traditions of honoring the dead, with the central theme that no one is truly dead who is REMEMBERED. Is this not our passion, to remember the dead and bring their stories (and thereby, them) to life?
Since it is still Hispanic American month, let's look at some of those traditions, including what is illustrated at left, an "Ofrenda"
(pronounced oh-FREN-duh).
The translation of "ofrenda" is "offering," literally we are making an offering to the spirits of our ancestors and loved ones to honor their memories and let them know that they are still with us.
Let's not forget that we owe the Celts for the annual celebration of the dead at Halloween every year! The Celtic New Year of Samhain comes with Fall as the time of "the thinning of the veil" between our world and the world of the Spirits. "All Hallows Eve" was invented as a celebration of the time when the dead could return and visit from the other side. Bonfires were lit to light the way! People dressed in costumes so as to blend in with the visiting spirits, or to scare them away in case they intended harm. Today, we light candles and Jack-o-lanterns, but we still wear costumes.
The Catholic Church incorporated this Celtic celebration into All Souls and All Saints days (11/1 and 11/2). European beliefs were brought to the conquered New World and combined there with the Pre-Hispanic Harvest celebrations in Mexico. In Mexico, tradition has it that the souls of children return to visit after the Gates of Heaven open on 10/31, and that everyone else can visit the next day.
Families traditionally visit the cemetery and decorate the graves of their loved ones, or build ofrendas in their homes. The ofrendas will contain pictures of the deceased loved ones and welcoming gifts of the things they enjoyed on earth - a favorite food, drink, toy, anything to welcome them back. The family can then share memories of times shared together with younger family members who may not have even known their ancestors.
To build your own ofrenda start with a table. It doesn't have to be as big as the one in the picture from the Columbus Museum of Art at left! Cover it with a sheet or towel or piece of fabric and get ready to add pictures of your family members no longer with you. Some people include their pets, or other people you may not have even known that were important in your life if you like.
Arrange the photos and add candles (thank Heavens for battery operated ones!) or twinkly lights, and then some of their favorite things. My parents loved playing cards, so I will leave a deck out for them; and some peppermints and butterscotch candies for my grandparents, just as an example.
In Mexico, they add marigolds, traditionally, as their bright colors and strong smell will help the dead find their way back. "Papel picado" (paw-PELL pee-CAW-doh) is festive to hang, and not just for Halloween/Dia de los Muertos! Remember making snowflakes as a little kid? Link at the bottom for how to make some with your kids!
Incidentally, you can easily order marigold bouquets or garlands and papel picado online. Just google it if you don't already have a favorite shopping site.
If you can do this as a family activity it may be an opportunity for you to learn more about your own ancestors, and maybe spark an interest in other family members in your family tree! Sneak out the charts or laptop and if someone asks a question, you can be ready with a documented answer! Genealogy nerd-dom to the extreme!
How's your tree coming? I'd love to help, shoot me an email for a free evaluation!
Wishing you warm memories of family and friends during this thinning of the veil season,
Leslie Ryan
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Further reading or how-to's: