All Souls' Day

All Souls' Day, known as *Fèt Gede* or *Jour des Morts* in Haiti, is a vibrant and deeply spiritual holiday celebrated on November 2nd. It is a day dedicated to honoring and remembering deceased loved ones, blending Catholic traditions with Haitian Vodou practices. In Haitian culture, the Gede spirits, who are associated with death and the afterlife, play a central role in the festivities. People visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, light candles, and offer food, drinks, and flowers to their ancestors. Vodou ceremonies, music, and dancing are also common, as the Gede spirits are believed to be lively and mischievous. The day is both a solemn remembrance and a joyful celebration of life, death, and the enduring connection between the living and the dead.