From parades and Cosplay to solemn traditions to honor deceased family members, BYU–Hawaii students from around the world described what fall holidays they celebrate back home.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead
Daniela Quintana de Flores, a sophomore from Mexico majoring in exercise science, said although the name of the holiday sounds sad, Dia de los Muertos is one of the happier days of the year.
“On this day, we believe our family members can come from another world and visit us to celebrate their lives with everything they used to love,” she explained.
Traditionally, people put food and other possessions the deceased family member enjoyed on an altar for them, said Flores. “When they arrive, they will find everything they used to love when they were here with us.”
Flores continued, “This day is really important to us because we get to celebrate and remember the life of our family members who have passed away.
“As a member of the Church, I feel like I get to enjoy this day a lot more because I know it is true. [I know] I will see my family again. Death is just one more step to eternity. It’s definitely not the end of everything.”
Double Ninth Festival
Esther Lam, a senior from Hong Kong majoring in applied mathematics, said during the sacred holiday held on Sept. 9, families bring food, money and candles to honor their ancestors. Lam explained, “We will go to the mountain, or where their ashes are buried, and give them food and money and burn candles to show remembrance of our ancestors.”
She said when the candles are done burning, their ancestors are finished eating. Lam shared the day is often deemed as saddening. However, she said it is also a time to honor family members who have passed on.
Sapporo City Halloween
Hikari Domon, a senior from Japan majoring in music, said Halloween has become more popular in Japan.
On Oct. 31, Domon explained Sapporo, Japan, holds a parade in the city where people dress up in costumes and have a Cosplay competition. She said it is even broadcasted on television.
All Souls Day and All Saints Day
All Saints Day is celebrated on Nov. 1 and All Souls Day on Nov. 2, explained Marwin Jay Villegas, a senior from the Philippines majoring in exercise science with an emphasis in human health and performance. He said it is a week-long celebration of ancestors.
Villegas shared his family goes to their ancestors’ graves to clean and repaint them to make them nice again. Families set up tents and buy flowers and candies to celebrate with family, he added. •