Dear Sir,
Like Emma Bergh-Apton (Nov. 9-15) I also hate Halloween, since long before I came to Mexico.
The once-innocent cuteness has given way to a far more dark, dangerous, and often malicious manifestation in the unspeakably horrible movies that come out at that time, the aggressiveness of the “pranks”, the lacing of kids’ treats with nearly lethal substances such as broken glass or razor blades in the 70s, etc.
Sadly, these dubious “traditions” are seeping their way into Mexican culture from some of those who have returned from living in the US, or can be found in the cheap decorations and other commercially available seasonal trappings.
Most Mexicans do not really know the traditions of Halloween, only that in the Northern Cultures, people give (nauseatingly artificial and sugary) “treats” to kids. Some have jumped on this bandwagon as an excuse to raid foreigner neighborhoods in search of candy – and who knows what else – as Ms. Bergh-Apton wrote.
Like the Northern Culture Christmas, this teaches kids a big lesson in “gimme, gimme, gimme.” Who needs that?
Few foreigners ever bother to learn of the rich and beautiful Mexican traditions of this time of year, namely Dia de los Muertos on November 1 and 2, a much more deeply spiritual, soul-satisfying, and creative ritual. In Ajijic, on October 31 every year, there is a wonderful fiesta of the Virgin of the Rosary complete with a large procession, outdoor Mass, lots of Azteca danzantes and drummers, mariachis in the chapel, and bandas playing in the plaza for dancing – fun for all ages.
It has been very easy for me to forget Halloween with these rich alternatives. Acculturating yourself to the vibrant Mexican traditions can be a wonderful, life-changing transformation for a foreigner. Mexico is certainly not in need of outsider “traditions.”
Micki Wendt