Oh! Death, where is thy sting-a-ling-a-ling?
Oh! Grave, thy victory?
The Bells of Hell go ting-a-ling-a-ling
For you but not for me.
For those who believe in such things November starts in such cheery way with its two days of the dead. So yesterday all the Saints went marching in as it were, the officer class of the holy hierarchy, a Holy Day of Obligation, fasting and abstinence. Today it's the turn of the poor bloody infantry that is to say anyone else who has ever died, and, as I recall (and it's been a long, long time since this nonsense was forced on me), you can take this one or leave it as you like. As with so many Christian events this is just a take over of pre-existing pagan rites, the beginning of November being the Celtic festival of the dead, Samhain. These two days go largely unnoticed in this country, Hallow'een being a commercial thing and well, who does all that religion stuff these days? But in other parts, I'm thinking Mexico, they throw a three day party with much macabre merriment. I think maybe we're missing out.
The Weekend in Black and White is here.
The Weekend in Black and White is here.
The Day Of The Dead is really big in Mexico, yes. It's grown in certain parts of the United States as well, but there's not enough of a community here in Canada to see much of a fuss made about it.
ReplyDeleteDay of the Dead is a big celebration in Los Angeles, too, as our area has so many citizens of Mexican descent.
ReplyDeleteI agree - we're missing out! Personally I rather like the idea of remembering the dead with happiness and celebration.
ReplyDelete"Hells Bells" AC DC would approve.
ReplyDelete