According to Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas, Doctor of Humanities, Head of the Department of Folklore Archives of the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, in traditional Lithuanian culture, death was accepted as a very natural event in life, and communication between the living and the dead is an exceptional celebration that happens several times a year.
During it, people opened the doors of their homes to the dead of their relatives and set the tables for them. “In this way, the living expressed respect and gratitude to the dead of their tribe, and this meeting was expected as a confirmation of the communion between the living and the dead,” said A. Skujytė-Razmienė.
Such a harmonious meeting of the worlds of the living and the dead was allowed several times a year. However, things did not always go according to plan. What did it mean to dream of the Beyond? Is seeing the silhouette of a dead person a bad sign? In what ways is it possible to overcome the fear of the dead? And what to do if a ghost visits your house – a dead person with a body? – a conversation about this with scientist A. Skujytė-Razmienė.
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#Peculiarities #Lithuanians #coexistence #dead #rid #fear #dead #bitten #Culture
**Interview with Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas on Lithuanian Funerary Customs**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Asta. Your insights into Lithuanian culture surrounding death and funerals are incredibly fascinating. Can you explain the traditional practice of dressing the deceased in their finest attire?
**Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas:** Thank you for having me. In Lithuania, it is a long-standing tradition for families to dress their loved ones in their best clothes before burial. This act signifies the respect and love that families hold for the deceased. It reflects a deep connection to their past and a recognition of the deceased’s identity.
**Interviewer:** That’s beautiful. You also mentioned that death is viewed as a natural part of life in Lithuanian culture. How does this perspective influence the way people celebrate their departed loved ones?
**Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas:** Indeed, in traditional Lithuanian culture, death is not seen as an end, but rather as a transition. There are several times a year when families host gatherings to honor the spirits of their deceased relatives. During these gatherings, they open their homes and set tables, symbolically welcoming the dead to join them. It’s a profound expression of gratitude and remembrance.
**Interviewer:** It’s interesting that these meetings are viewed as a celebration of communion between the living and the dead. How do families prepare for these occasions?
**Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas:** Families prepare by cooking traditional dishes and setting up the table with care, much like they would for any beloved guest. This preparation symbolizes hospitality and respect. It allows families to share stories and memories of their loved ones, reinforcing the idea that while they may have physically left, their presence remains an integral part of the family’s life.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a beautiful way to keep the memory of loved ones alive. How can understanding these customs change the way we view death in our own cultures?
**Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas:** Understanding these customs can encourage a more accepting and integrated view of death. Rather than fearing it, we can celebrate the lives of those who have passed and maintain connections with them. It reminds us that death is not something to be hidden away, but rather an essential part of our human experience.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Asta, for sharing your insights. It certainly provides a rethinking of how we can approach the subject of death and remembrance in our own lives.
**Asta Skujytės-Razmiėnas:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we engage with these traditions, as they can foster a greater understanding and respect for life and death alike.
