The Dead Visit Salem

Dia de los Muertos is observed in Salem in a unique multi-cultural event.

Photos by Jerry Freeman

(SALEM, Ore.) - It wasn't Halloween anymore, but a large group of people wearing costumes walked the streets of downtown Salem last night as part of the local Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead Celebration. Mexicans honor their ancestors on this day, when some believe they visit the living.

Many people visit cemeteries where their loved ones rest, and prepare for their visit by making their favorite food and light candles to lure their spirits closer.

Coincidentally, many different cultures commemorate the dead around this date, at the end of the growing season.

The Culture Shock Community Project, a local organization working to bring people together to enjoy multicultural events, sponsored 13 Nights of Halloween celebrations, and el Dia de los Muertos was the final episode.

Except for the tequila and mariachis, Salem felt like an ancient Mexican village. The local event included an ancient, pre-Hispanic Aztec celebration, a more modern version that combines Aztec with Christian symbolism, and the Catholic All Souls Day, commemorated with both English and Spanish masses. All three rites featured similar altars adorned with food, pictures of diseased loved ones, candles and, of course, skulls.

According to the Aztec belief, the souls of the departed visit our planet escorted by Mictecahuatl, the deity of the underworld, who was sacrificed as a child. "She will eat you and transform you from human being into soul. People don't go to heven or hell. They come, get transformed, and then they come visit us during this season," explained Willam Cervantes, one of the participants.

This was the first time the Culture Shock Community Project made an effort to reach out to the English speaking community to come celebrate El Dia de Los Muertos with the Hispanic community of Salem, but they're expecting to repeat the event every November.

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who are entering the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people the dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “an old truck driver with a new found passion to bare witness on the world’s events.” Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarks on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Stay tuned, and see how it turns out. Jerry seems to exhibit natural talent and is already becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team. You can send Jerry Freeman an email at this address: Salem-News@gravityshadow.com