Families Honor Deceased Loved Ones During All Souls Day and Undas

Honoring Loved Ones During All Souls Day and Undas

Crowds recently braved the heat at Manila cemeteries to visit graves and honor deceased family members. This annual period brings communities together to remember relatives who have passed away.

Traditions and Generational Customs

The traditional period locally known as Undas encompasses both All Saints Day and all souls day on November 1 and 2. The term itself originates from the Spanish word honras, meaning honors. Families mark the occasion by bringing candles and flowers, sharing snacks, offering prayers, and passing down stories from generation to generation.

Participants like Lorita Santos emphasize that passing these customs to children ensures the traditions continue. Similarly, Mike Mamaril noted that visiting parent graves remains a cherished annual routine rooted in family history.

Historical Roots and Cultural Context

According to experts like University of the Philippines Diliman anthropology lecturer Nestor Castro, ancestor veneration in the region predates Spanish colonization. Ancient populations honored ancestral spirits called anito by presenting food and gifts. Following the arrival of Spanish rule in 1565, these indigenous practices became intertwined with Catholicism, drawing historical parallels to similar customs found in Mexico, Bolivia, Poland, and Hungary.

Family Reunions and Kinship Ties

Beyond remembering the dead, these gatherings serve as major family events that strengthen kinship bonds across distances. Foods like sticky rice cakes are frequently shared during the observances to symbolize the close ties holding relatives together.

Sources: AP News, Inquirer.net, ABS-CBN.