Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

This week we are taking a look at some of the customs that are adhered to in South Louisiana for All Saints day.

For many in south Louisiana, All Saints and All Souls days are a time to remember those who have gone before them. For some, this includes performing work at cemeteries and graveyards. All Saints Day, also known as La Toussaint, is similar to the Mexican traditions for Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos.

Still today, the tradition of whitewashing tombs can be seen across the Acadiana region. Traditionally a wreath of flowers called a coronne de toussaints would be placed on the tombs. This wreath would be made out of flowers made of crepe paper and dipped in wax. Today, modern artificial flowers have taken their place. The tradition ends with a mass, a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics, which is followed by the blessing of the graves.

To read more about these traditions, find these items in Special Collections.

• Louisiana’s Funeral Customs, Graves, and Graveyards, by Betty Morrison
• Louisiana COD (Cities of the Dead) by Gasper J. Stall
• The Cemetery as a Cultural Manifestation: Louisiana Necrogeography, by Tadashi Nakagawa 

View more photos on the Special Collections Facebook Page.

Fun Fact Friday is brought to you by Special Collections.

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