Loss is a natural part of life. Since the concept of death goes back as far as life itself, it makes sense that cultures throughout history have had different ways of honoring the dead. Though some practices can seem unusual, it is important to remember that all cultural traditions can seem odd when first encountered. Your own methods for honoring those who have passed away could easily be viewed as peculiar by those from another country. Respect goes a long way when it comes to understanding.
If you want to learn a bit more about ways various cultures show respect for the departed, then here are a handful of fascinating practices you might find intriguing. Check out these interesting rituals and expand your understanding of the world.
Festival of the Cows
The cow is held in high regard in India. Though the Festival of the Cows might seem like a bovine-centered event, it is actually a chance to remember those who have passed away in the previous year. The festival, which is referred to as Gaijatra, begins at the end of August and lasts for eight days into the start of September. The event, like many of Hindi origin, includes the use of bright, vibrant colors. Instead of mourning the dead through sorrow, the idea is to use color to remember what joy the deceased brought to life.
Of course, the name is not arbitrary. The Festival of the Cows includes a large parade, where cows are marched about the town center. People who have lost loved ones in the past year are asked to march the cows around. Because cows are viewed as sacred beasts, this is considered a great honor. The cows are said to help usher the spirits of the deceased into the afterlife. The event is meant to be cathartic, allowing those who have felt recent loss an opportunity to laugh and feel alive once again.
Bon Festival
The Bon Festival is another excellent example of honoring the dead in a lighthearted and respectful manner. The event originated in Japan and is said to date back more than five centuries. Interestingly, the Bon Festival takes place at a different point in the summer depending on where in Japan it is being celebrated. No matter where the festival takes place, however, it always lasts for three days. The modern festival usually includes beautiful string lights and a lot of dancing, with performers doing a special bon dance in honor of all those who have died.
Recent years have seen people use the Bon Festival for many different tasks associated with the dead. Japanese families will often use one day of the festival to visit the gravestones or shrines dedicated to departed relatives. They will use this time to clean the sites and deliver specific readings to honor those who have gone before. Custom says that the spirits of the dead return to these sites during the Bon Festival, meaning families have the chance to “feel” the presence of the departed while tending to the site.
Pchum Ben
In Cambodia, one of the most important Khmer traditions centers around honoring the deceased. The holiday is known as Pchum Ben, and it involves making offerings of food and drink at local temples to help the deceased find rest in the afterlife. Since the Khmer follow a different calendar than Western cultures, the holiday falls at a different time each year. Still, it is always held for 15 days during the 10th month of the Khmer calendar.
Learning about how different cultures honor the dead can be a very enriching experience. The more you learn, the easier it can be to identify with people of all walks of life and find useful ways to pay tribute to your own departed loved ones.