Border-crossing journalism from the Sacramento Valley
Day of the Dead festivity leads to cultural rediscoveryUnderstanding better the Chinese tradition that was part of my childhood
by Yucheng Tang posted Nov. 13
How can a day that’s about death feel like a huge party?
When I joined the crowd at The Barn at Meriam Park for a Nov. 2 celebration of Day of the Dead — a Mexican tradition called Día de los Muertos in Spanish — I didn’t expect it to lead me to reconsideration of a Chinese festival, Tomb Sweeping Day, that was part of my own childhood.
Latin music played loudly in the background. On stage, children whose faces were painted like skeletons danced and sang joyfully. Next to the stage stood a community altar, adorned with photos of deceased loved ones, candles, and marigolds — the flower that is believed to guide spirits back home.
Nearby, a table offered marigold-shaped stickers where attendees could write the names of their departed loved ones as well as messages for them.
I wrote down my grandfathers’ names and the words, “I miss you.” They have both passed away, one in 2016, the other in 2022.