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Summary Of William L. Merill's Raramuri Souls

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In this week’s reading, “Raramuri Souls” by William L. Merill discusses the unique way the small indigenous population, Raramuri people, practice the Day of the Dead ritual. The Raramuri people normalize and accept death unlike the mainstream society. They view death as an inevitable stage of life. The Raramuri people endure high mortality rates of death, therefore, they perform various burial rituals. There burial rituals depend on the type of death the person underwent, the sex of the person, and the age of the person. Additionally, their burial rituals are a community effort and tradition. The Raramuri believed that every element of the ritual had a significant meaning and purpose that will protect the soul of the dearly departed. Thus,

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