This particular All Saints' night they keep on doing so until an unexpected shower blows in, rain and wind snuffing out candles and scattering people to their houses, though with the satisfaction of having performed the ritual for another year. Some may feel especially close to the spiritual world on All Saints' Night. At one time it may have been believed locally that the souls of the dead returned to the cemeteries on this night. Probably it will. Tradition itself can be a powerful force for its own continuance.
People go on doing things because they are traditional and people respect the conservatism of that.
Plus, this is a society where family ties are still very strong and All Saints' reinforces that by stressing the ties to deceased members of the family group and the community. Beyond that, these people obviously enjoy getting together in the cemeteries. Today, they are also aware that they are maintaining an unusual, distinctive tradition, and that gives it an added attraction. They know they have a lovely custom which is pretty to look at and a good thing to keep going for posterity, and which now interests others from beyond the local community. This article was originally published in the 1996 issue of the Louisiana Folklore Miscellany and is reprinted with permission.