Dias de los Muertos

In Spanish-speaking areas around the world -- from Mexico City to Metro Manila -- yesterday as the Feast of All Saints, and today as the Feast of All Souls, are known collectively as "Days of the Dead." It invariably involves having picnics in a cemetery, near the remains of one's ancestors. Our own revelry with children dressed as witches and goblins, would pale next to day-long parades in Mexico, of men dressed as skeletons.

Every now and then I hear somebody chide parents for encouraging some occult-based New Age phenomenon. I don't remember such a connection when I was a boy. That tells me it came along later, and even then only because enough people decided to give it the attention for which it clamored.

Then again, that's just me.