Trick-or-treating, dressing up in costumes and carving pumpkins are a few of the Halloween traditions that are commonly practiced in United States, but Halloween isn’t celebrated to the same extent in other countries as it is in the U.S. Three University students share the more serene holidays they celebrate in their home countries.
University junior Yuki Masuda never participated in Halloween before she came to the U.S. Halloween isn’t celebrated in Japan, but Obon, a time to remember your ancestors, is celebrated in mid-August.
Masuda said a fire is lit outside for ancestors to be able to see where their family is located. She said that an altar is set up and that an eggplant, which represents a horse, is placed on top of the altar. The eggplant represents a horse because the horse is a symbol of how the ancestors can travel back to heaven.
“For me, Obon is the most important vacation because you’re given time off from your work to spend time with your family,” Masuda said.
Masuda said her favorite part of Obon is spending time with her family, especially with her grandparents.
For her first Halloween in the States, she was scared and didn’t understand why children were coming to her apartment asking for candy, but she said she is looking forward to the fun of wearing a costume this year.
Similar to the Japanese celebration is the Mexican “Dia de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead” on Nov. 1-2, where families visit the cemetery to honor their ancestors. University senior Saul Rodriguez said each family prepares an altar inside the home a few days before Dia de los Muertos. Families place images of their loved ones and any other objects that reflected who they were or anything that they enjoyed doing on top of the altar.
“This is done so that when the spirits return they can join the living,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said his family makes a small altar and covers it with marigolds. He said marigolds are used because they’re bright orange, and the strong fluorescent smell and color helps the spirits find their way to the altar.
For Rodriguez, one of the best parts about the celebration is remembering the good times he spent with his ancestors and family. Memories begin to flourish when you look at the altar, Rodriguez said, and celebrating what his loved ones did and how they influenced him is a special moment for him.
Rodriguez said different sizes of skulls are used during the celebration to represent death. The first day of the celebration is for the children. During this time, sugar skulls are given out as a way to introduce the children to the process of death and educate them about the concept of life, he said.
The second day of the event is for the adults to celebrate and remember a time they shared with their ancestors.
“One of my most memorable moments was the first time I comprehended what Dia de los Muertos meant and the importance of the celebration,” Rodriguez said.
University junior Yufei Chen from China said that in her country they don’t have Halloween but rather a day to spend time with family and remember ancestors.
“We go to cemeteries and light incense and red candles,” Chen said.
Chen said the color red is chosen because in Chinese culture red is thought to keep the evil spirits away.
“I have a meal with the whole family; that includes our extended family as well,” Chen said. “Visiting temples is also a tradition.”
Chen said she had a close relationship with her grandmother who taught her how to practice temple rituals.
“There are certain steps to follow at the temple: You stand and bow three times, kneel down and bow three times, make a wish and then kneel and bow down three more times,” Chen said.
For Chen what makes this whole time special is having her everyone in her family get together and remember their loved ones.
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Halloween celebrations vary world-wide
Daily Emerald
October 27, 2010
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