At least, happy halloween if you're not from South America!!!
All over facebook at the moment there are comments and pictures that basically have the same message - "I'm against Halloween because I'm a Catholic..."
This seems to have it's origin in a combination of things:
1- There is a very clear anti-USA thing involved. Many people feel that their culture is being subverted by the strong commercial interests of the USA. It is very noticeable that there is a very significant presence of North American fast-food outlets, shops, and other businesses wherever you go in Panamá.
2- There is also a perception that Halloween here has become monopolised by satanists who hold all sorts of black masses etc. - Having asked around a little this is a bit of an urban myth. It may well be happening but is certainly not happening in any way that could be considered widespread. Part of this, of course, is due to the facility with which South Americans get involved in things like cursing (and I don't mean "bad language"), magic of one kind or another, and, more traditionally, Shamanism.
Shamans are a sort of witch-doctors with a strong religious element. They generally base their practices on a syncretism of traditional religious practices such as sacrifices of animals, food, or tobacco; and a fair share of Catholic devotion with images of the Blessed Virgin and the Sacred Heart Also St. Gemma Galgani, St. Jude, Hermano Gregorio (Brother Gregory), the Divino Niño (the Divine Child), and other saints judged to be particularly "powerful". I include pictures of the more obscure of these below.
3- The third thing that seems to upset people is that Halloween is proving more popular with younger people than the traditional celebrations for the "Day of the Dead" (2nd November - "All Souls" in Ireland).
It's quite interesting to note that the government has just passed legislation (as it does, apparently, every year) that is called the Ley Seca (Dry Law) which forbids the sale or consumption of alcohol and any event that involves dancing, on the 2nd of November - to respect the "Day of the Dead".
Anyway, while Halloween is being celebrated elsewhere on the planet people here are busily preparing for their national day which commemorates Panamá's achieving independence. This celebration involves every institution in the city marching in a parade. This includes schools, emergency services, public bodies, religious bodies, and even businesses. More about this later.
In the meantime - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
N
 |
| Divino Niño |
 |
| St. Gemma Galgani - Passionist |
 |
| Hermano Gregorio - Venezuelan Doctor |
No comments:
Post a Comment