When T’Challa steps into the purple ancestral plane he says,Black PantherStanding before generations of Wakandan rulers, he represents a resonant link between ancestors and cultures. Disney’s “coconutMiguel reflects on this as he explores his family’s history through the bright marigold bridges of Día de los Muertos. In fact, the deep moment that Simba experiences with his father’s spirit is “The Lion KingMufasa reminding her that “you are more than you are right now” points to a deeper truth: Ancestor veneration is not a creation of Disney movies, but a traditional and spiritual practice that spans cultures.

As Americans increasingly seek to connect with their cultural heritage Ancestry tracing services report record growth And Millions of TikTok users Imagine the conversations they had with their ancestors via viral videos; many BIPOC individuals turn to traditional practices of venerating their ancestors.

Building altars dedicated to ancestors is crucial to honoring and connecting with those who practice ancestor veneration. Darcell Andréa holistic interventionist and a hoodoo practitioner in San Antonio, says her intention is to honor those who continue to guide the living.

“Even when we actually talk about people passing away in Black American or African spirituality, it’s not a death that actually happens. This is just a transition. So the physical form is now spiritual form,” said Andre.

Andre emphasizes that practitioners do not worship their ancestors, but rather communicate with them.

“I know my grandmother has helped me throughout my life. That’s why I left her coffee, just as I would have thanked my grandmother if she were still alive. “So I go and cook his favorite meal and write it down as a thank you.”

The word ancestor, Defined by Merriam-WebsterTraditionally referring to deceased family members, Andre notes a common misconception that ancestors are limited to lineage, adding that respect for adopted relatives is equally legitimate.

Christa LeiCommunity care facilitator and death doula. identity.

“They’re not technically family or blood related, but Stacey MilbernA disabled advocate and homosexual died due to the pandemic. Because I’m disabled and chronically ill, this is my ancestor, you know? Marsha P. Johnson“I’m gay and he’s an ancestor,” said Lei, who uses they pronouns.

Crystal Dorado operated a holistic wellness studio, GreenHe has been in Chicago’s historic Pilsen neighborhood for 13 years. Again pilsner faced gentrification For two decades they remained predominantly Latino, especially Mexican immigrants like Dorado’s grandfather. curanderoor the grandmother, who is a traditional folk healer and a specialist in yerbera, or herbalism. He continues to teach and help others heal in the community where he grew up, thanks to the lessons he learned from his father, who believed they could make an impact in their community.

“(He taught me that) we didn’t need any saviors, we could do it ourselves,” Dorado told Reckon.

Building altars came naturally to Dorado, who grew up in a spiritual family. His family’s devotion was deep; Dorado’s grandmother even had a pew built in her home to kneel before his altar.

“They have always been a big part of my life. “And I think altars really come from our indigenous ancestors, and I think that’s true not only for us, especially our Central American ancestors, but also around the world,” he said.

Dorado believes that maintaining a connection to ancestors sustains people, and this is especially important for BIPOC individuals. Navigating cultural identity in a society that often misrepresents their history.

“It ensures that the foundation does not shake easily. “I think we can easily drift off our axis when we don’t know where we come from and who we are,” he said. “Especially as minorities, we are manipulated by the media to believe these terrible things about ourselves, but they don’t talk about the truth about our ancestors. They were colonized. Our lands were stolen. “They were extremely intelligent people.”

Rolling back history and apps

Luis Cornejo (he/they), a licensed marriage and family therapist, co-owner Psychosocial Therapy and the host Gay Magic PodcastHe grew up in a Christian Evangelical home. He found that an ancestral altar practice helped him embrace his Guatemalan and Mexican roots and reclaim his heritage.

“It was almost an opportunity to celebrate and honor the people who have passed, rather than forgetting them,” Cornejo said. “Even in our religion, people would say in passing, ‘They’re gone, let’s hope they’re in heaven,’ but there was never actually any celebration or honoring of the dead. “I think that’s been avoided more than anything else.”

Connecting to ancestors through reverence gave Conejo access to history, who noted that the trauma experienced by many BIPOC individuals and immigrant families is a prominent aspect of their history and often prevents traditions and knowledge from being passed down from generation to generation.

“Oftentimes, we are reminded of the trauma we have experienced as a family, whether it be separation, first generation, growing up without a parent, domestic violence or alcoholism. It’s hard for most of our family members to process it and it’s pretty much just there,” Cornejo said.

2017 Pew Research Center The study found that Latino identity has weakened across generations. As more Latinos marry non-Latinos, some born in the U.S. are losing touch with their heritage. Approximately 11% of Latinos – 5 million people – no longer identify as Hispanic or Latino, especially in the third generation or later.

Dorado says connecting with ancestors can help alleviate intergenerational trauma and prevent it from continuing down the lineage.

“When we do intergenerational healing and change the narrative, we change it not just for the past, but for future generations as well. They will no longer live the narratives we inherited from our grandparents. “You know, they will no longer experience the feeling of pressure, the feeling of loss, that feeling of failure,” he said.

Creating your own altar

How you construct an altar is a personal choice, but the most basic elements of an altar are a cloth-covered surface, a glass of water, a food offering, and a photograph of the deceased loved one if available.

While flowers and candles are a good starting point, the altar can be as simple as a rock or leaf you find outside.

“We can start with a vase of flowers and a picture of someone you love. We can start with a god statue and a candle. “As you continue and collect, your altar will grow and you will find things that are more important to you,” Dorado said. “It’s very important that it’s personal.”

Studying under Mayan healers in Yucatan, Mexico, Dorado was taught that the earliest ancestors were the elements: air, fire, water, and earth. Andre and Dorado feel it is important to preserve the four elements, represented by a candle representing fire, incense representing air, a glass of water, and various objects instead of earth.

“I make sure my altar has a lot of crystals in it, because it’s earth energy more than anything,” Dorado said, adding that she intentionally taps into earth energy to regain her connection to her historically Indigenous ancestors. broke away from the Mexicans and Mexican Americans through colonization and assimilation.

Food remains a common presentation across cultures; Chinese, Mexican, hindu traditions, and more.

“At family parties, someone always prepares a plateful of food for our deceased ancestors, and we leave it on an altar,” Lei said. “This is an offer presented to them as a no-brainer.”

Dorado says food stands out because it represents a connection to life.

“Even though life is bitter and difficult, there is always sweetness in it,” he said.

While most practitioners place altars on a shelf or table, Andre notes that the location depends on the available space.

“Sometimes you see people have ancestor altars in drawers because they can close it up or put it in like a shoebox and they pray with their ancestors or talk to their ancestors or communicate with their ancestors through divination tools like cards or pendulums,” Andre said. These different practices reflect those of historically enslaved Africans. Yoruba religions And Native AmericansBoth were forced to practice Christianity.

Andre emphasizes that reverence extends beyond a physical space through funeral ceremonies, placing flowers on graves, passing on namesakes, or singing favorite songs.

“We all do it. We are doing this. All that happens is religious teachings and cultural erasure occurs,” Andre said.

Cornejo advises not feeling pressured to conform to a particular aesthetic or match images of large Dia de los Muertos ofrendas, or altars, circulating on social media.

“It doesn’t have to look or be a certain way. “I made it a very personal thing for me by including things I collected throughout the year,” said Cornejo, naming their dogs’ ashes, pinatas and dolls among other items they keep on their altars.

Ultimately, altars focus on intention and shouldn’t be a homework assignment, says Dorado, who says your ancestors just wanted to spend time with you.

“The soul rejoices in your connection, your respect, and your time for yourself,” he said.