Avescope Memento Mori

More documents

Recommendations

Info

deceased relative preferred when they were alive. The dishes are placed in clay plates because people believe that the spirit pulls the essence or substance from the food but the clay plates conserve the flavor, so later, when the celebration is over, the family is able to enjoy the food without losing its tastiness. A very important dish that is cooked for this celebration is the “pib” or “mucbipollo” which is essentially a big tamale filled with chicken and pork, lard and “achiote” which is condiment that gives the pib it’s characteristic red color. Normally, the altar has three pibs that represent the three stones the Mayan women used to use to cook, basically representing the hearth of the Mayan home. Aside from the pib, a beverage called “Balché” that is elaborated by fermented roots of the tree with the same name as the drink and honey, is also placed on the altar. It is the sacred drink of the Mayan people and they are placed in “jícaras” which are halves of the dried-up shell from the “Jícaro” fruit, similar to a coconut but smoother. Four of these beverages are put on the four corners of the middle table because the Mayans say “one does not know from what corner of the world a spirit will arrive from.” It’s important to leave small balls of dough if you have a pet in the family. This way, when the spirit arrives, he can feed it to the pet so they won’t be barked at and can continue their celebration in peace. Water and salt are also placed on the table and this is done for numerous reasons; they signify purity and are used to clean the soul. Water represents the origin of life and salt is used for protection, casting away the bad vibes that follow some souls. Different objects pertaining to the person's hobbies are also added, whether it be cigarettes for an old grandfather, a silver comb from a mother's collection or even a bottle of tequila for a festive uncle. In addition to the objects the spirits used or owned when the were alive, it’s important to add an image of the soul, because it’s important to represent the relatives. If the family wishes to receive spirits that don’t have families or have been forgotten, they must leave a clay piece in the shape of a donut that tells the spirits that this household will receive any soul, regardless of them being relatives. As a religious addition, a green cross is placed on the highest table. The green cross symbolizes hope, and it is made from the bark of the sacred Mayan tree, “ceiba.” This tree is believed to connect the heavens and the underworld to earth. Incense is also placed in a chalice next to the cross because the smoke and smell makes the meal more welcoming. <strong>Avescope</strong> | 5
As a last important symbol, it’s important to construct a small path to the altar with white candles, so the souls can reach the table. Some are placed at the front door and are kept burning until the end of the celebration because even in death, some people are always tardy. In addition to these tables, a separate children’s table is placed, filled with toys and candy, hot chocolate and a variety of fruits. It’s important to not fill the table with very spicy or condimented food because even in death, a child is very picky and we don’t want them playing with their food! One must avoid using dark colors on the children's altar, otherwise, they will get bored and distracted and begin to fool around and play pranks. Lastly, the path of candles that are constructed for the children's altar must also be made up of colorful candles, this to prevent from scaring them off, because darker colors represent more negative energies to them. This is what makes up the tradition of “Hanal Pixan” in Yucatan. If you are lucky enough to visit the peninsula at this time of year, you will be able to participate in this celebration of colorful traditions and delicious flavors. Merida, the capital of Yucatan, is open to receiving both locals and tourists and inviting them to partake in the different activities that go on during these celebrations. Because the Day of the Dead isn’t just a party for the dead, it’s also a festival full of life. <strong>Avescope</strong> | 6
Page 1: AVESCOPE Memento Mori N O V E M B E
Page 5: Editor's Note Memento Mori. Remembe
Page 11 and 12: By the time World War II began, my
Page 13: Avescope | 10
Page 16 and 17: Nightmare King Grimm (affectionatel
Page 18 and 19: Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov [Publ
Page 20 and 21: These primarily college-educated, v
Page 22 and 23: Certain populations, particularly t
Page 24 and 25: Towns which encouraged the consumpt
Page 26 and 27: Except there is the possibility tha
Page 28 and 29: Memento Mori Memento Mori. “Remem
Page 30 and 31: Avescope | 27
Page 33 and 34: to the sexing. In this particular c
Page 35 and 36: Sometimes we find things like the f
Page 39 and 40: Because it always does. But is that
Page 41 and 42: Vimy Catherine Jackson
Page 45 and 46: The shuttle landed in a clearing in
Page 47: “That’s your duty? To bury ever
Page 50 and 51: Mama cried when I left for the army
Page 52 and 53: Mister Spider Scientist Christopher
Page 54 and 55: July 9, 2020 05:02 Sal Adin A seria
Page 56 and 57: Ferarra interrupted. "Sir," he aske
Page 58 and 59:
who put bella in the wych elm? Joan
show all

Avescope Memento Mori

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?