While meeting with Linda this time, I was eager to learn more about her and her family. We talked more about her culture and things her and her family did.
We talked mostly about a holiday that they celebrate around the same time as Easter. She referred to it in English as a "tomb sweeping." During this holiday the family members will go to the grave-sites of their ancestors and clean and decorate the site. I asked her to try and describe more of what goes on. She said there is a big ceremony and there are meals served at a party. She also said that they say many prayers throughout the holiday. The way she was describing it made me believe that it was a sort of celebration that had a lighter, happier mood to it. When I asked if that was accurate, she gave me a look and said, "No, not at all." She said it was a sad holiday.
Now that I knew it was more of a somber celebration I understood the purpose of the holiday. It was to celebrate and honor the life of those that came before them. Every year they continue to pay respect to their elders. She also mentioned that this holiday lasts about a week.
I could tell that their culture is much more family-oriented than I had realized before. I think it is important that they devote so much time and energy to honoring their family members, alive or deceased. I wish that the American culture did more to honor our family. I know that many people in America do indeed do a lot to honor their ancestors however, I feel strongly that family is important and should be more of a central pillar in our culture.
She was sad that she was not there with her family to celebrate this holiday this year and her family missed her as well.
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