In addition to Halloween, there are many other ghostly festivals celebrated around the world…
It is known that deities and ghosts coexist in the beliefs and religions of many countries. This is why there are always rituals and customs to worship the gods, while at the same time, festivals arise to ward off evil spirits. Let’s explore some of the most famous ghost festivals worldwide below.
1. Kukeri Festival, Bulgaria
While people in Western Europe and America eagerly anticipate Halloween, Eastern Europeans, especially Bulgarians, are excited about their unique ghost festival: the Kukeri Festival.
Kukeri is an ancient ritual that originated in ancient Thrace to worship Dionysus, the protector of the land, as well as the god of wine, fertility, and rebirth. It is believed that this ritual helps to drive away evil spirits and brings a peaceful year for everyone.
The highlight of the Kukeri Festival is the terrifying costumes made of animal skins, frightening wooden masks, and small bells that can be wrapped around the body, along with swords and daggers. During this festival, Bulgarians dress up as scary demons known as Kukeri, taking to the streets to dance and disturb others at night.
After masquerading as ghosts, all participants must take part in a mysterious ritual conducted by a Kukeri leader. This leader performs a blessing for health and luck for the entire village, then visits each household, distributing bread, wine, and rubbing people on the floor as a way to share good fortune.
2. Día de Muertos, Mexico
Día de Muertos – the Day of the Dead – is one of the rare festivals that blends the beliefs of the ancient Aztecs and Maya with Christianity brought by the Spanish to Central America.
In the past, this festival was celebrated by the Aztecs for two months in honor of the Goddess of Death – Mictecacihuatl. However, today, the festival occurs over just two days, coinciding with the “All Saints’ Day” (November 1) and “All Souls’ Day” (November 2) of Christianity.
On this day, Mexicans traditionally visit the graves of their deceased loved ones and “gift” the souls of the departed with sugar skulls, marigolds, food, and their favorite drinks from when they were alive.
Mexicans even build special altars called ofrendas. These altars are decorated with colorful offerings presented in honor and remembrance of the souls of their deceased relatives.
The people here believe that doing so will attract the spirits to return to the living world. At that time, they will hear the prayers of the living and bless, silently assisting their families.
3. Obon Festival, Japan
Not aimed at driving away evil spirits, Eastern countries, notably Japan, also have a unique festival for spirits: the Obon Festival. Typically held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, the Obon Festival primarily serves to express gratitude and remembrance towards the ancestors of the Japanese people.
The Obon Festival itself originates from Buddhism and is related to the story of the monk Mokuren showing filial piety towards his mother, similar to the Vu Lan festival in Vietnam. In Sanskrit, Obon means “to hang upside down,” implying suffering.
The Japanese believe that during the festival, the spirits will return to the human world. This is an opportunity for the spirits to meet and observe their descendants.
During the three days of the festival, all Japanese people clean, place fresh flowers, and decorate the graves of their ancestors as well as their homes. On the first day of the festival, people perform the traditional Bon Odori dance to welcome the returning spirits.
After that, this dance is continued as a farewell to the deceased on the last day of Obon. Additionally, the Japanese have a custom of making lanterns and floating them on rivers, considering them to be guiding lights for the spirits returning to the other world, known as Toro Nagashi.
4. Bon Kan Ben Festival, Cambodia
The Bon Kan Ben is a religious festival unique to the Cambodian people. It typically lasts for 15 days in October according to the Khmer calendar. This is a time for Cambodians to express gratitude to the spirits of deceased relatives.
Traditionally, Cambodians believe that each year, the gates of hell are opened once, allowing the spirits and ghosts of ancestors from seven generations past to return to the human realm.
Therefore, during this time, the festival is organized, and food and offerings are prepared for the temples, so that monks can pray for the wandering souls on the streets, accumulating merit to help the ancestors achieve liberation and rebirth in another life.
The most important day of the festival is Pchum Ben. This day is considered when the gates of hell will open. Thus, at the temples, all monks chant prayers in Pali continuously overnight without sleep, to bless the souls of the deceased. The Cambodian people believe that this will erase or lessen the sins of the departed in the afterlife.
5. Gaijatra Festival, Nepal
In ancient times, the Gaijatra Festival was originally dedicated to the worship of the God of Death, Yamraj. However, during the reign of King Pratap Malla (1624 – 1674), the form and content of the festival underwent some changes. King Pratap Malla lost a son, which made the queen extremely sad.
The king tried every way to make his beloved wife smile but was helpless. It was only when the king ordered the addition of humorous and satirical elements to the Gaijatra Festival that the queen finally smiled.
Today, the Gaijatra Festival combines ancient traditions with the performances added by King Pratap. However, fundamentally, the Gaijatra Festival is intended to commemorate those who have died in the past year.
During the festival, a procession of cows is organized – as cows are the most sacred animals in Hinduism. Each cow symbolizes a deceased person, and families without cows may substitute with a young boy.
At the end of the procession, festival participants dress up and wear masks. They sing, joke, tease each other, and laugh joyfully in accordance with the customs introduced by King Pratap long ago.
