Dziady in Belarus

Dziady is a term in Slavic folklore for the spirits of the ancestors and a collection of pre-Christian rites, rituals and customs that were dedicated to them. The essence of these rituals was the "communion of the living with the dead", namely, the establishment of relationships with the souls of the ancestors, periodically returning to their headquarters from the times of their lives

An important element of the tradition of Dziady are Karaboshka masks. Such a mask, made of clay or wood, was worn to impersonate the decease. Dziady, Halloween’s Polish counterpart, has a rich tradition dating back to old Slavic times. Rather than jack-o’-lanterns, it’s linked to Karaboshka masks, the great literature of the Romantic era and, by some, to the Greek god Dionysus.

In the Slavic tradition, depending on the region, the feast of the deceased was celebrated at least twice a year. The main dziady were the so-called spring dziady and autumn dziady:

Spring dziady were celebrated around 1 and 2 May (depending on lunar phase). Autumn dziady were celebrated on the night from October 31 to November 1, also known as All Souls' Day, which was a preparation for the autumn day of the dead, celebrated around November 2.(depending on lunar phase).