All Saints Day

Yesterday, November 1 and today,November2, is the celebration of Todos Los Santos here in Bolivia. Todos Santos is the celebration of the dead. In the Ayamaran mind, when someone dies, their soul (ajayu) must begin a journey to its eventual resting spot. Until it reaches the place of rest, it must be helped by the living. If it does not receive the help that it wants it can then take vengeance on the living and cause untold problems, suffering and death. On November1 at noon the souls of the dead return to the homes of their relatives. The family must make adequate preparations for the return of the souls. A special table is prepared with all the favorite foods and drinks of the dead person. Coca and alcohol are also a very important part of the offering. In addition there are special breads (t'ant'awawa) shaped in the form of people, sometimes with the face of the person pasted or painted onto the bread. Also there is bread shaped like a ladder. All these items must be arranged in a very specific way on the table. At noon the family gathers to await the arrival of the soul. The day is spent around the table, eating, drinking and praying to the dead. On the next day the whole event is removed to the cemetary where the food is again spead out, but this time on top of the grave. The family gathers there until noon when the souls return to their journey. After three years of faithfully completing these obligations, the soul is then ready to go to be with the other dead and join them in becoming a type of god. The living family members celebrate the completion of the three years because now they will not be bothered by the soul of the dead person. It is a system that is based on fear, not love. Now I am sure that for many Bolivians much of this has become an empty ritual that is more social than religious. But the truth remains, that many Bolivians are enslaved by their fear of the dead. Satan uses this fear to keep people enslaved. Often people will see their dead relative alive somewhere but it is in reality demons playing tricks. These people, more than anything, need to hear of the victory of Christ over death, Satan and demons so that they can become free of fear and live in the knowledge of God's great love for us in Christ.

One more quick thought. I just read a posting by someone who had visited the witches' market in La Paz. They treated the whole thing as an innocent superstition to be dabbled in. But this too is based on fear. I know the anthropologists are saying that we should leave people alone and not spoil their happiness and way of life. After all, isn't it better for them to live in fear each day than in the freedom from fear that comes from knowing Christ? You figure it out . . .