wildaspie

In this season of remembrance and thanksgiving, a common but seldom noted tradition is the Dumb Feast.

A Dumb Feast is a way to show that those separate from the family due to distance, duty, or death are not forgotten.  Most often, their continued presence in the hearts and thoughts of those celebrating is shown by setting an extra place at the gathering’s table, just as if the missing party will arrive and partake of the meal with hir loved ones.

In some cultures, food is even portioned to the extra setting; this has old roots in sacrifice gestures, when, despite scarcity of food, it is still shared with the memory – spirit – of those who cannot attend in the flesh.  It also happens sometimes that at the end of the meal, the offering is burned, with the thought that the smoke will carry the thoughts of love and well-wishes to the absent, wherever they may be.