Araw Ng Mga Patay, Day of the Dead Traditions in the Philippines

Many countries celebrate and honour their deceased loved ones in very traditional ways. My previous blog dealt with the Mexican tradition of Dia De Los Muertos . In the next few blogs, I will share some other traditions.

     Araw Ng Mga Patay is celebrated in the Philippines on November 1 & 2.  This name literally translates to “Day of the Dead”.  This celebration is also known by the name Todos los Santos and also All Saint’s Day as it coincides with the Catholic holiday of the same name. Mostly though, it is referred to as Undas. 

Similar in style to the Dia De Los Muertos, in the Philippines people gather at the cemetery to honour their loved one’s memories. Often the occasion is marked as a reunion of families and they bring food and drink and camp out all day or even overnight. They bring flowers, candles and offerings of food and drink for the deceased. While some find the moment a time of solemn refection, mostly it is treated with a party atmosphere where the people dance, laugh, share stories, and some even get quit drunk.

This is an official state-recognised holiday so people get time off from work and school to attend. Often a family member will go the grave a day or 2 beforehand in order to tidy up so that the gravesite is clean and presentable when everyone else will be there to see it.

There is also a tradition called Pangangaluluwa which occurs on All Saints Day Eve. A group of people will stop by different house throughout the night, singing and asking for alms and prayers. They represent the souls of those who are stuck in purgatory and they are asking the living to offer prayers to help them get into heaven.

The top 3 holidays in the Philippines are Easter (Holy Week), Christmas and Undas.

Source material: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Undas

                           http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/araw-ng-mga-patay/