Day of the Dead Altars
We are officially in spooky season! It is no coincidence that Halloween and Day of the Dead both fall in Scorpio season. This is believed to be a time when the connection between the physical and spiritual realms is very thin.
Day of the Dead is a time to honor loved ones who’ve passed on by commemorating them with altars filled with offerings. I recently participated in building a community altar to honor those who died due to political violence. This included undocumented immigrants who were impacted by the US detention and Immigration system, political prisoners, and police brutality victims whose lives were taken by the state. It also highlighted Palestinians, Congolese, and Sudanese people who have been killed as a result of ongoing genocide in their respective countries.
Participating in the preparation for the altar was an emotionally draining experience. It required me to read about the inhumane conditions of political prisoners and victims of genocide. It forced me to reflect on whether or not I am willing to spend a lifetime in prison for my beliefs. The amount of courage, resilience, and willpower embodied by political prisoners is something I aspire to.
When reflecting on the violent genocides occurring globally, it is alarming to know that I could easily be one of the victims. As an African, if I were born and lived in Congo or Sudan, then I would directly be impacted by the ongoing massacres. Especially as a woman, sexual violence would be used against me as a tool of war.
Sitting with these uncomfortable feelings forced me to confront my fears about living in a world that normalizes such atrocities. It reminded me of the importance of staying connected to my humanity even when the world says otherwise. It affirmed that I am never alone, especially during Day of the Dead, when the energies of the spirits are easily felt. Whatever I am afraid of is not new because people who came before me confronted these fears. Through building altars and venerating them, I can always tap into their guidance as needed from the spiritual realm.
Honoring the legacy of the dead is a reminder that the fight for liberation continues, especially when there are living Palestinians, Congolese, and Sudanese people who are desperately depending on us at this moment.