All Souls' Day (Cochiti Pueblo)

November 2

The Cochiti Pueblo Indians, who occupy the northernmost of the Keresan-speaking pueblos along the Rio Grande west of Santa Fe, refer to this day as "Their Grandfathers Arrive from the West Feast" (or "Their Grandfathers Arrive from the Dead Feast" ). Converted to Catholicism by Spanish missionaries in the late 17th century, the Cochiti Indians regard All Souls' Day as an opportunity to persuade the visiting spirits of the departed that they have not been forgotten and that their kin are prospering. Each family fasts, setting out bowls of food in the corner of the house and leaving the door open for the returning spirits. The family's material goods—in the form of blankets, shawls, and jewelry—are displayed on the walls, and candles are lit so that the dead can find their way to their former homes. The men congregate in the kiva, or ceremonial chamber, where they spend the night singing and cutting up small pieces of food as offerings for the dead.

Similar ceremonies are held at other Indian pueblos in New Mexico. At Taos Pueblo, for example, the church bell rings all night while candles burn and food is brought to the graves in the churchyard. At the Zuni Pueblo around this same time, Grandmothers' Day is celebrated by making offerings of food to the dead. The men and boys spend the day going from house to house singing and receiving food.



CONTACTS
Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th St. N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87104
866-855-7902 or 505-843-7270; fax: 505-842-6959
www.indianpueblo.org

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