Undas holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos, marking a time of profound reverence and remembrance. What is Undas, you may ask? It is a uniquely Filipino perspective on these observances, setting it apart from the rest of the world.
In the Philippines, it is a time when families gather in cemeteries, not to mourn but to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, to offer prayers and affection to their ancestors, and to relish a unique blend of customs that merge reverence with festivity.
As we delve into the intricacies of Undas in the Philippines, we will uncover its historical roots, explore the customs and traditions that make it truly exceptional, and gain insight into the significance it holds for the Filipino people. Join us on this journey to understand and appreciate the profound beauty of Undas in the Philippines.
History and Origins
The celebration of Undas in the Philippines is deeply rooted in its history and the melding of cultural and religious influences from both indigenous traditions and Spanish colonial rule.
The Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule from the 1500s until 1898, during which time the Roman Catholic Church became a significant institution, shaping many aspects of Filipino society including its traditions and customs.
The tradition of Undas, which involves visiting the graves of deceased loved ones to honor them, echoes the broader Christian tradition of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day celebrated on November 1 and 2 respectively.
The term "Undas" is derived from the Spanish phrase "Día de Todos los Santos" (Day of All Saints), reflecting the linguistic influence of the Spanish language during the colonial period. The celebration of Undas has been enriched over the centuries by a blend of indigenous Filipino practices and Catholic traditions introduced by Spanish colonizers.
The tradition of offering food to the dead, known as "atang" in the Ilocos region, is one such practice that has been observed during Undas, showcasing the integration of indigenous beliefs with Christian practices.
Moreover, the observance of Undas has similarities with other international traditions like the Mexican "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) and European customs of visiting cemeteries to honor the deceased.
Undas Philippines Traditions and Customs
Undas, also called "Araw ng mga Patay" or "Undas sa Pilipinas," is a loved tradition in the Philippines. Every November 1st and 2nd, during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, Filipinos gather to remember their loved ones who have passed away.
Dates and Duration
Undas is a unique Filipino tradition which is celebrated from the end of October to the 3rd of November, encompassing All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). This period is considered a holiday season in the Philippines, and a time to honor and commemorate the deceased.
The celebration begins on October 31st and extends through November 2nd, with some preparations and activities starting earlier and extending beyond these dates, such as traffic management measures being implemented from October 28 to November 2 in Metro Manila to facilitate the movement of people to cemeteries.
Themes and Activities
During Undas, families gather to visit the graves of their departed loved ones, offering prayers, flowers, and food. The visits to the graves are often accompanied by the sharing of food and stories among family members, making it a solemn yet familial occasion. Some of the activities that take place during Undas include:
Visiting Cemeteries and Mausoleums - Families gather in cemeteries and mausoleums to be near their departed loved ones. They clean and decorate the graves with flowers, candles, and sometimes personal mementos.
Sharing Food and Stories - Families share food and reminisce about their loved ones, keeping the memory of the deceased alive through stories and shared experiences.
Takutan - A tradition where family members, especially children and teens, scare each other with creepy stories. This activity adds a lighter or more playful element to the solemn occasion and is akin to gathering around and sharing ghost stories in a bustling cemetery surrounded by people6.
Praying - Prayers are offered for the souls of the departed, seeking blessings and expressing hope for their peaceful rest.
Vending - There are rows of vendors selling candles and flowers for those who come to pay their respects, highlighting the communal and economic aspects of the tradition as well.
Catholic Traditions
Undas is rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition of venerating saints and the deceased. The commemoration of All Saints' Day originated within the Roman Catholic Church as an avenue for individuals to honor recognized saints, each having their own designated memorial days like St. Patrick's Day and St. Valentine's Day.
Visiting Cemeteries and Graves
A pivotal part of Undas is the tradition of visiting the resting places of departed loved ones. From October 31 to November 2, families flock to cemeteries to offer prayers, food, and sometimes even music, in a heartfelt remembrance of their ancestors.
This practice not only honors the deceased but often serves as a familial reunion, reinforcing family bonds and collective memory. At places like Manila North Cemetery, crowds in the millions are expected to gather during Undas, showcasing the immense scale and societal significance of this tradition.
Masses and Prayers
Families come together in prayer, both in private and communal settings, seeking spiritual solace and expressing their faith. This period underscores the Filipinos' collective spirituality and the Catholic Church's central role in fostering communal bonds and continuing age-old traditions.
Folk Beliefs and Superstitions
The tradition of Undas in the Philippines encapsulates a unique blend of folk beliefs, superstitions, and practices surrounding All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Some of the folk beliefs and superstitions include:
Rain on All Souls Day
It's believed that rain during All Souls Day is the tears of the dead. People think that when it rains on these days, it's the souls expressing their emotions.
Offerings and practices
In the Ilocos region, a plate of 'atang' food is prepared to remember the dead. 'Atang' is also used in an appeasement ritual whenever someone suffers from an unexplained sickness, believed to be caused by bad spirits.
A healer invites the spirits to partake in the offering, asking them to relieve the patient of the illness. Foods like busi or caramelized popped rice, linga or black sesame seeds, and others are offered during this practice.
In Pangasinan, a sweet black rice cake called 'inlubi' is made during these days from burnt glutinous rice, which is prepared during twilight and left to cook during the night.
Visiting the tombs
One of the most popular practices is visiting the tombs of the departed, where families gather around the tombs with food for both the living and the dead. This gathering often extends to telling family stories and reminiscing about the departed, creating a communal space to remember and honor the deceased.
Lighting Candles and Pinewood
Candles are lighted by many at the tombs as a symbol of the departed person’s enduring qualities. In Sagada, Mountain Province, instead of candles, locals light pinewood beside the tombs to withstand the strong winds in the mountain town.
This tradition, called “panag-apoy” meaning "to light a fire", starts with an afternoon mass on November 1, where the wood is blessed, followed by lighting the pinewood at the cemetery while the priest blesses the tombs.
The Significance of Undas
The observance of Undas is a time to honor and commemorate the deceased, reflecting the Catholic belief that individuals transition to the afterlife rather than ceasing to exist. The tradition extends beyond religious observance, embodying the values of familial bonds and communal ties within Filipino culture.
Visiting loved ones' graves, decorating them with flowers and candles, and offering prayers are manifestations of the deep sense of family and community. Undas serves as an avenue for familial reunions and communal gatherings, reaffirming and fortifying social bonds.
Undas also portrays a unique Filipino perspective on death, reflecting a broader cultural narrative interweaving death, remembrance, and the celebration of life. Despite the influence of western traditions like Halloween, Undas retains its unique Filipino character, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of Filipino cultural traditions.
Undas Today: Modern Celebrations
Traditionally, families visit graves, offering prayers, flowers, and food, often transforming the occasion into a family reunion with members traveling across provinces to be together. The commemoration involves sharing good food, stories, and sometimes even gambling amidst the remembrance of the deceased.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about changes in the celebration of Undas. With restrictions on cemetery visits, Filipinos have turned to technology to uphold the tradition. Virtual wakes via platforms like Zoom have emerged as a means for families to come together and remember their loved ones, with online masses and prayers being held.
Despite these modern adaptations, the core essence of Undas—honoring the dead through communal gatherings—remains intact, fostering a strong sense of family bonding and the creation of beautiful memories, even in the face of challenges like the global health crisis.
Undas in the Philippines is a special way to mark All Saints' Day. It's a time when people come close to remember loved ones who have passed away. Your own stories and traditions about Filipino Halloween are precious. Go ahead and share your story. Let's enjoy the rich tradition of Undas together.
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