It is common belief in the Hispanic and Creole culture that after the body dies, the soul continues to live and for a time it roams around the earth looking for a resting place. That is why a certain family member of mine heard someone knocking on the windshield of his car only two days after his grandfather passed away. That is also why there are rumors of a lady walking up the beaches late at night and disappearing when security guards point their flashlights at her. And that is also why people hear and see someone walking under the almond trees at the high school and another one walking up the pier at Patojo’s place…
The reason is that the dead are still around and want to communicate with their beloved ones. Don’t be afraid. Communicate with them.
The reason is that the dead are still around and want to communicate with their beloved ones. Don’t be afraid. Communicate with them.
The reason is that the dead are still around and want to communicate with their beloved ones. Don’t be afraid. Communicate with them.
The reason is that the dead are still around and want to communicate with their beloved ones. Don’t be afraid. Communicate with them.
At times there were those unbelievers who wanted to see the Animas as the procession passed in front of their homes. If you opened a window, one of them would give you a lit candle and the next morning you would discover that it was a bone. That was it. They would come for you and you would be dead shortly. To escape death, you needed to place the bone (candle) in a baby’s hand and have him return the candle to the Animas the following night. Once you did that you were safe.
There are those who have seen the Animas because they stayed out late fishing at the pier. It meant severe fevers. There are those who were drunk and stayed out late and had encounters with the Animas. That meant fever, vomiting and diarrhea for a week and usually he would stop his spree of drinking for a while.
Most Sanpedranos respected the Animas and gave them the peace and tranquility to pray in procession every night. During the month of November, there were no parties, nor weddings on the island. The priest would not even marry you in November.
Today, of course, San Pedro is very busy and there is hustle and bustle all night long. The poor Animas or souls do not have the peace to go about their business.
If they march and pray on the main street they will meet noisy bars all night long and someone might stab them with a knife or shoot them. So they must come out at their own time and try to meet their beloved family members at other convenient places. It would help if you would pay for a Mass for the repose of their souls; that way they might find rest and Let them Rest In Peace. Long Live Las Animas. Do Not be afraid of them.
– by Angel Nuñez, Columnist
