The practice of honoring one’s ancestors goes back for thousands of years and is a part of many spiritual traditions around the world. In general, ancestors are not typically worshipped in the same way as people worship gods, but rather they are venerated as respected members of the family and are often called upon in times of need. Most traditions include some type of altar to their ancestors, which can include personal identifying items (pictures of or items owned by the deceased), food or drink (either the person’s favorite or a type that is typically given to ancestors), and various decorations, including candles, incense, flowers, and other ceremonial items of importance. Many traditions have special holy days or celebrations attached to honoring ancestors, such as Día de Muertos in Mexico, Samhain for Celtic pagans, Qingming in China, Pitru Paksha in India, and All Saints’ Day for many countries with Roman Catholic heritage.
Only when we tell our stories can there be real healing.
