Nice piece. I love running in cemeteries. They make for great courses, some with inclines and loops and dips that offer a great challenge. Older cemeteries in particular have these features. Plus you’re never at a loss for company.
I recently read that the a graveyard was next to a church, while a cemetery is where folks are buried away from a church.
Having said that, I have learned about a longstanding tradition in South Louisiana around cemeteries - and the care of graves. 64 Parishes, the publication of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has had a couple of articles which may be of interest:
I make it a point to visit the grave of my parents (which is with one set of grandparents) on an annual basis when I return North. Some years I am lucky and get to the cemetery (see above) twice. It is a place of calm and reflection for me.
And another point of view, from an article about a discovery in Mexico:
Barquera acknowledged that it could be jarring to realize the remains at the site belonged to “kids, and that they were sacrificed.”
“But we have to bear in mind that death is a completely different concept for Mesoamerican cultures. … Death is not seen as a bad thing. Of course, under our perspective, it’s wrong. But back then, and according to their myths and their beliefs, what they were doing was considered correct, so we cannot judge what they did under our modern point of view.” From <https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/13/dna-tests-maya-ruins-mexico/>
Human sacrifice was practiced in quite a few cultures, including ancient Rome.
Nice piece. I love running in cemeteries. They make for great courses, some with inclines and loops and dips that offer a great challenge. Older cemeteries in particular have these features. Plus you’re never at a loss for company.
Love this article. Green-Wood in Brooklyn is hands-down one of my favorite “parks” in NYC.
Congrats on the MCC grant!
I recently read that the a graveyard was next to a church, while a cemetery is where folks are buried away from a church.
Having said that, I have learned about a longstanding tradition in South Louisiana around cemeteries - and the care of graves. 64 Parishes, the publication of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities has had a couple of articles which may be of interest:
https://64parishes.org/gone-but-not-forgotten
https://64parishes.org/entry/all-saints-day
I make it a point to visit the grave of my parents (which is with one set of grandparents) on an annual basis when I return North. Some years I am lucky and get to the cemetery (see above) twice. It is a place of calm and reflection for me.
Yes, I've seen photos of Louisiana graveyards. Or churchyards. Quite wonderful!
And another point of view, from an article about a discovery in Mexico:
Barquera acknowledged that it could be jarring to realize the remains at the site belonged to “kids, and that they were sacrificed.”
“But we have to bear in mind that death is a completely different concept for Mesoamerican cultures. … Death is not seen as a bad thing. Of course, under our perspective, it’s wrong. But back then, and according to their myths and their beliefs, what they were doing was considered correct, so we cannot judge what they did under our modern point of view.” From <https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/13/dna-tests-maya-ruins-mexico/>
Human sacrifice was practiced in quite a few cultures, including ancient Rome.