The day of the dead is taken pretty seriously in New Orleans. Not only do they create big props and costumes for it, but they also combine it with a commemorative service for a lost loved one.
I was informed about the starting point of the parade little time before it would start, so I dashed home to drop a couple of things and headed quickly to the meeting point.
Dozens of people were already there and more were swarming in. The first thought that went through my head was "shit. I forgot a costume!"
The effort everyone had put was equally impressive as the halloween night. Lots of people seem to get involved with big projects that are dedicated to just this one night of the year.
Even the dead enjoy a beer from time to time. (Too bad they got really bad taste for it.)
And suddenly a coffin arrives. It is being carried on what looks like an old hospital bed with wheels. The whole thing is decorated and altered and brings images of an altar to mind. It is all done very respectfully and tastefully. I looked inside and it was in memory of somebody called Colby. His friends and family had create this in his memory and was going to join the parade.
Soon after, the parade begins, with the coffin shrine begin amongst the leaders. Everyone starts marching down the road, going through the busy streets, smooth but firm drumming accompanies the march and someone jams along with his saxophone.
That's when I realised what's so special about this gathering. It's a silent, big party. People are dancing, smiling, breathing and spinning fire and being happy. But no one is loud. No one is rowdy. Everyone is paying their respects to the dead in a very respectful way and are dancing along this service, following Colby's coffin. Everyone is mourning with a smile on their faces. Death is not conquered by sorrow. This parade is showing that there are still reasons to smile and celebrate a dead man's life.
The coffin was taken to the river and a ceremony was held, preparing it for the last farewell. By then, the crowd that was following had multiplied.
The final step was to drop the coffin in the water and set it on fire. We all gathered on the rocks around one of the docks. Everyone was participating in their own way, but always quietly.
And then, there it was, the coffin in flames floating across the water. At that point, everyone started screaming, cheering, clapping, shouting thoughts, sending messages. It was one of the most beautiful and powerful gatherings I had ever attended.
The coffin did start floating close to the shore and it got stuck under one of the other docks, so somebody had to jump in the -extra filthy- water and drag it to safety, otherwise we would have all been in trouble, but other than that, it was a night to remember. :)
M.
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*quietly & respectfully she says*
Wow! That gave me chills. It must have been a very powerful experience. Thank you for sharing ~
After Katrina, a bunch of burners from New Orleans temporarily lived in Austin. They had lost everything.. jobs, homes, friends. Their entire lives had been uprooted and they showed up as a caravan of displaced souls.
A group of people helped organize some fundraisers for them at a local coffee shop with the usual fire, hula hooping, puppets, comedy, live music.
One night, this tiny little girl from New Orleans ask everyone to gather up in a circle outside in the parking lot. It was October and slightly chilly outside. Everyone's breath was showing in the night air and the crowd shivered and huddled together. They extinguished every light with the exception of one lone torch sitting at her feet. Under the stars, she sang the most soulful, sad, ac apella version of Wade in the Water I have ever heard. Utter silence.... Then tears.... Then hugs.
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