Bundick Cemetery by myrrhluz
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Description
Wildflower hunt, March 26th, 2010 continued...
This is Bundick Cemetery which is located on US-87 near Smiley, TX (Hi Cheryl! :))
I love graveyards. This probably originates in my childhood when we used to go to Graveyard Working once a year. If you read that with total incomprehension, you are not alone. This is a cemetery-related ritual that is widespread in many rural areas of America's South, but it is more commonly called Decoration Day. It is an annual event, where families come together to clean up privately owned cemeteries where their relatives and ancestors are buried. It is also a time to decorate the graves, reconnect with family members, and honor the memories of their dead. There are variations to the tradition as far as the dates, but it involves, first cleaning the graveyard which might include scraping the ground, (Upland South Cemetery Complex is the terminology scholars use to refer to the tradition of mounded graves, that are scraped, and without grass.), trimming the grass, making new plantings and pruning old ones, and removing decorations from the previous year. This may be done on the Saturday before Decoration day or during the week preceding it. On Sunday, the graves are decorated, there is singing in the church, and family and community come together for a picnic meal. The origins of this ritual are unclear though many cultures have traditions of decorating graves and gathering and eating in cemeteries. The tradition seems to predate Memorial day which was once called Decoration Day. Meeting between May and September became the preferred time. It is a slower time on the agricultural calendar and may also have been preferred by American Protestants because it was clearly separate from the Catholic tradition of All Souls Day on November 2nd. The date would vary at different neighboring cemeteries so that people could participate at more than one in their region. I had never heard of Decoration Day, until I tried to find out general information on Graveyard Working, which is what it is called at the small graveyard where many of my ancestors are buried. The information in this paragraph comes mostly from http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2316
And also from
"Decoration Day in the Mountains: Traditions of Cemetery Decoration in the Southern Appalachians" by Alan Jabbour, and Karen Singer Jabbour
In my next image, I'll write a bit about my own memories of Graveyard Working and those of my mom and sister.
Thanks for viewing, and for previous comments and favs!
Comments (27)
myrrhluz
The colors are brighter and sharper on zoom. :)
goodoleboy
Very interesting photo and narrative, Lucinda. And, Great Caesar's Ghost, I assume this cemetery has seen better days. Speaking of cultures, there is one that actually digs up the remains/skeletons of the dead and then parades them above their heads around the grave yard, accompanied by much singing, chanting and other forms of ritual celebration. Someone out there in the audience probably knows what I'm talking about.
flavia49
marvelous colors and image!!
vaggabondd
I looked at this capture in full zoom and you are right, you can really see the colors much better in full zoom. I like your discription of the ritual, I have never heard of that before but I probably should have
mgtcs
Very quit and peaceful place Lucinda, excellent capture, loved your narrative, so rich in details, marvelous work, thank you for sharing!
jocko500
I heard of all St. day where all the graves is to have been painted and fix up if they was broken. plus flowers put on them. that be on nov. 1 here
magnus073
Very nice job on the graveyard image and on your thoughts behind it. Like you I know this tradition well and am so glad you also take part in it. It's important to show love and respect for our family members who have passed on as well as a fascinating way to learn about the past. There are countless times we have been working at the graveyard where my Grandparents are buried and some older person who was friends with them will come by and share a story.
Minda
Great narrative and excellent capture lucinda..
KatesFriend
Thank you so much Lucinda for letting us in on this interesting custom. The grave yard photo itself is beautiful. I love the colourful wild flowers sprouting up between the graves. Perhaps a reminder of the joys of life in this place of rest.
wysiwig
It does look old and neglected although I think I prefer the widflowers to a neatly manicured lawn. Interesting POV showing the backs of the markers.
durleybeachbum
Fascinating! How lovely to see that the flowers can grow..our local municipal cemetery is pretty secologically sterile.
jayfar
A lovely shot and a very interesting narrative Lucinda. As you will be aware Christians are buried in a west east line with the head in the west but did you know that some clergy are buried the other way round with the head in the east??? This is supposed to be so that if the clergyman rises up he will be facing his flock!!
helanker
What a lovely cementary. Looks more free and happy, than many cementaries I have seen here.
anianiani
Sad...But Thoughtful One..Great
dakotabluemoon
Very cool stuff and i also love to look at old grave sites and just wonder about the history of the person behind it.Awesome capture.
mickeyrony
I always respect a cemetery whatever my Belle. This kind of campaign I've took pictures of sublime cemetery one day I'll post, but good. Always exquisite workmanship. Congratulations again ((5 + +)) Je porte toujours respect à un cimetière quel qu'il soit ma Belle . Celui-ci de campagne genre J'en ai prit des photos de cimetière sublime un jour je vais poster Mais bon . Toujours un travail exquis . Bravo encore ((5++))
drifterlee
Old cemeteries are so interesting to walk through!
mariogiannecchini
Very beautiful and interesting capture , Lucinda !
jendellas
Interesting info, didn't know about this. Great pic!!!
emmecielle
Wonderful shot, Lucinda! Interesting info! :)
sandra46
SUPERB AND INTENSE SHOT
MagikUnicorn
GREAT SHOT
psyoshida
I too love graveyards. I don't think this looks neglected. It's simply wonderful. Great flowers everywhere and crooked old trees. Excellent shot.
Madbat
That looks remarkably different embiggened! We never had any rituals like that when I was a kid. The closest thing to cemetary rituals we had in our family was 'lets drag wee Madbat along while Mummy shops for clothes!" oh what fun! gags
blondeblurr
Rituals like I've never heard of before, well here in 'OZ' anyway - but I do remember vaguely, when I was a kid living in Berlin, my Auntie, who owned a Nursery, was usually extremely busy, making and selling extra wreath's and flower arrangements in the months of November, presuming this is a similar situation ... To tell you the truth, the 'a-la-natural' look with those wildflowers, looks fine to me, Lucinda and thanks for the info. BB
dochtersions
Very much I love this picture. It's odd, but the people who are buried here, I think they are privileged. I tried to read your story, but it has not succeeded ;-). So I have to let my admiration to comment on this sublime picture, which POV I like so very much, and find out the flowers so beautiful, as the tombstones. I share your fondness for cemeteries, my dear friend.
rainbows
A beautiful capture, in this place of peace, dear Lucinda. Hugs. Di. xx