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- MEXICO – DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS (DAY OF THE DEAD)
In Mexico, Día de los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd with vibrant altars (ofrendas) featuring photos, favorite foods, candles, marigolds, and sugar skulls. This tradition honors deceased loved ones, welcoming their spirits back to the world of the living for a joyful reunion rather than mourning. - GHANA – FANTASY COFFINS
In Ghana, particularly among the Ga people, “fantasy coffins” are crafted in shapes representing the deceased’s profession or passions, like fish for fishermen or airplanes for pilots. These creative coffins celebrate the individual’s life and ensure they are remembered with joy. - TIBET – SKY BURIALS
In Tibet, sky burials involve exposing the deceased’s body on mountaintops to be consumed by vultures. This Buddhist practice symbolizes the impermanence of life and the cycle of rebirth, allowing the body to return to nature and sustain other living beings. - MADAGASCAR – FAMADIHANA (TURNING OF THE BONES)
The Malagasy people of Madagascar practice Famadihana, or “Turning of the Bones,” where family members exhume and rewrap their ancestors’ remains every few years, celebrating with music, dancing, and feasting. This tradition maintains a connection between the living and the dead, honoring ancestors in a joyful manner. - INDONESIA – TORAJAN DEATH RITUALS
In the Toraja region of Indonesia, death is seen as a gradual process. The deceased’s body is preserved in the family home for weeks, months, or even years while elaborate funeral preparations are made. The funerals, lasting several days, include feasts, animal sacrifices, and celebrations, reflecting the belief that the spirit remains with the family until proper ceremonies are completed.
