From The Who Knew Files...Commemorating The Dead In November


While on October 31st of each year, thousands of American children will dress up in a variety of costumes and go door to door, chanting the ominous mantra of "trick or treat", and receiving candy for their trouble, their German counterparts will do no such things. While numerous American grown-ups will join the fun, or have Halloween parties of their own, German adults will do no such things. Granted, while Halloween has wormed its way into the German culture, mostly by means of TV and cinema (Michael Myers is a longtime favorite of the German adolescent audience) as well as through the American soldiers stationed in Germany, and while German children have caught on quickly and have joined their American friends on the bases by dressing up and going trick-or-treating with them, the month of November is a somber and sobering experience for most Germans.

For example, many German Catholics observe a Seleenwoche (All Souls' Week) from October 30 to November 8. This week includes the day of Aller Heiligen (All Saints/All Hallows), the observance of which includes the attendance of special masses said for the saints of the Catholic faith, as well as the day of Aller Seelen (All Souls), which sees Germans flocking to the cemeteries in droves: lighting candles, cleaning up the grave sites of those passed on, and also having masses said for their souls.

Following this Seleenwoche, many Germans will observe a day in remembrance of the Reichskristallnacht (crystal night). This night marks the anniversary of the Nazi-led attack on Jewish merchants, business owners, and private citizens by destroying synagogues and places of business that were owned by Jews. Remembrance often takes the form of speeches, warning citizens to be watchful for the seeds of racial or religious intolerance, religious services, and wreath ceremonies.

After observing this solemn event, the third Sunday of November serves for the observance of Volkstrauertag (Memorial Day). On this day, Germans will honor those who died in the wars, both the soldiers, as well as the civilians.

Finally, the last Sunday of November is the Protestant Christians' holy day corresponding to the Catholics' Aller Seelen (All Souls): Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead). On this day, Protestants will remember their dead. One must remember that after the Reformation the Protestant church went to great lengths to differentiate itself from the Catholic church with its observances.

In closing, while America observes a unique celebration known as Halloween, Germans have chosen to celebrate autumn and its metaphorical significance of death and dying, by soberly remembering those who have passed on, both the greats of the faiths, as well as personal relatives and friends.

For an additional glimpse into the strong attachment German customs have on those who grew up with them, please visit Penny White's wonderfully written, witty, and heartwarming article Oma, Me and the Christmas Tree.

The copyright of the article From The Who Knew Files...Commemorating The Dead In November in Germanic Culture is owned by Sylvia Cochran. Permission to republish From The Who Knew Files...Commemorating The Dead In November in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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