Day of the Dead

The Chinese Ghost Festival is here again? Hmm...That reminds of of a movie which I watched with my niece in 2017, Pixar produced 3D computer-animated fantasy film, Coco.The movie about a 12-year-old boy, Miguel who is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, is supposed to be inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead. On this day, friends and relatives gather to pray for and remember friends and family members who have passed away. Private altars called ofrendas are erected to honor the deceased using calaveras, aztec marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. I thought that practice is similar to the Chinese practice of honouring the dead. In the case of the latter, there are altars for both the Gods and the deceased at home and while no decorative clay or sugar skulls are offered, there are other food stuffs like meat and fruits as well as paper money offerings. No wonder the movie was a big hit in China. Chinese who themselves celebrate ghost festival, can well identify with the Mexican Day of the Dead.



Comments