As Pagans around the United States and the Northern Hemisphere prepare for Samhain, probably the holiest of the eight Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year – which occurs on October 31st/November 1st, I would like to take a moment to talk about one of the traditions of Samhain… from a Deaf perspective.
Many Pagan paths and Wiccan traditions will celebrate Samhain with a Dumb Supper – sometimes also known as the Feast for the Dead. The purpose of this meal is to honor those who have passed on before us… both within the past year, and years long gone. It’s particularly a time for remembering our ancestors, which tends to be a strong aspect of Paganism. Samhain is seen as the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest and in fact some say is actually lifted, and thus communication between the mundane world and the spirit world is at its best. It’s a night when we believe that the dead can actually see/hear us communicate with them, and maybe even communicate back. Samhain represents death and resurrection, new beginnings and fond farewells.
Thus this is a time for inviting the spirits of the dead to join you…hence the tradition of the Dumb Supper. Some Pagans will actually set the table with an extra setting specifically for those from the beyond to have a place to sit and partake of the feast. Such a feast occurs in silence with nobody speaking, out of reverence for the dead. This is where it gets the name “Dumb Supper.”
altar table representing the two worlds…
the world of the dead, and the world of the living
Now here comes the problem – while I respect this tradition and its role in the overall celebrations of the Wheel of the Year… I’m not real comfortable with the name.
Say the word “dumb” in the Deaf Community, and you will probably see a lot of squirming and awkward facial expressions. It’s a painful reminder of a time when a lot of people referred to us as “Deaf and Dumb” – a term many of us have come to detest. As explained in the website of the National Association of the Deaf, Deaf and Dumb is viewed as
A relic from the medieval English era, this is the granddaddy of all negative labels pinned on deaf and hard of hearing people. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, pronounced us “deaf and dumb”, because he felt that deaf people were incapable of being taught, of learning, and of reasoned thinking. To his way of thinking, if a person could not use his/her voice in the same way as hearing people, then there was no way that this person could develop cognitive abilities. (Source: Deaf Heritage, by Jack Gannon, 1980)
In later years, “dumb” came to mean “silent”, and a lot of people still refer to Deaf people as “deaf and dumb.” This definition still persists, because that is how people see deaf people. The term is offensive to deaf and hard of hearing people for a number of reasons. One, deaf and hard of hearing people are by no means “silent” at all. They use sign language, lip-reading, vocalizations, and so on to communicate. Communication is not reserved for hearing people alone, and using one’s voice is not the only way to communicate. Two, “dumb” also has a second meaning: stupid. Deaf and hard of hearing people have encountered plenty of people who subscribe to the philosophy that if you cannot use your voice well, you don’t have much else “upstairs”, and have nothing going for you. Obviously, this is incorrect, ill-informed, and false. Deaf and hard of hearing people have repeatedly proved that they have much to contribute to the society at large.
Yes, I know I am probably going to get a lot of comments and emails from Pagans… telling me that this is the traditional name; that it refers to the practice of remaining silent and not using one’s voice during the feast; in no way is it intended to be offensive or to insult Deaf people; that everyone is tired of having to constantly worry about being “politically correct” out of fear of upsetting someone; and to stop being so dang sensitive, it’s not always about me and my deafness.
But the fact remains – I’m a Deaf person and I’m not comfortable with the name.
Goddess help us if a group of Deaf Pagans decided to get together and celebrate Samhain in this manner… would the feast be known as “The Deaf and Dumb Supper” ???
And if you really stop and think about where the term “Dumb” comes from (as explained above) and how it came to refer to the concept of being silent… well, do we Pagans want to be thought of as also being incapable of reasoned thinking, or developing cognitive abilities?
So what do I believe it should be called? Well, how about calling it The Feast for the Dead? Or if nothing else, The Silent Supper? While I do agree that us Deafies are anything BUT silent, at least “Silent” carries less of a negative connotation when used in this manner than does “Dumb.”
I’ve shared my thoughts on this issue in the past, with mixed responses. Some people acknowledged that I had a good point, and were agreeable to the idea of changing the name to be less offensive. Others informed me politely but firmly that this was the name, and they were not changing it. And still others would get into heated discussions with me, stating that I was simply stirring up trouble where it wasn’t warranted, and that my whole argument was in fact “just plain dumb!”
Sooo…I leave it to my readership.
What do YOU think? If you practice the Pagan Path, have you ever participated in such a feast? What do or would you call it? Do you think I have a valid point here, or am I in fact making a mountain out of a molehill? If you are Deaf, how do you feel about this name? Does it bother you, or can you accept the term as used in this particular manner? Is it really appropriate, or even accurate?
I’d be curious to see your responses in the comment section below, or feel free to email me if you prefer.
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
I have never participated in a Silent Supper, it’s not a tradition I keep. To me a name change wouldn’t be a big deal, but since it means so little to me, there’s no attachments.
Growing up, I was taught that the term “dumb” meant the vocal cords didn’t function, not that they were simply deaf. I do have deaf people in my family, so I guess the others just had slightly different ideas.
Hello !
I have had read it. Ok, I am deaf since birth. I am glad that you brought it up. I am so uncomfortable with that words, (deaf and dumb supper). We, the deaf people have been talking about it for years, years, and years. I believe, it would be called the discrimination. We have been hardship to be able that we don’t hear. But we have senses. So I believe that we all equal in many ways. Thank you. Smile and I smile !! Have a wonderful Samhain day ! Yes, I believe in Samhain in pagan way. Thanks.
Witchpi
Feast of the Dead sounds good to me… Although this is not a tradition I keep either.
Just a thought on the idea – well, it is a traditional name for the supper; it used to be okay to refer to black people with the “N” word. Just because it has always been that way doesn’t mean that has to be that way anymore especially if it is offensive to a group of people.
that’s it silent supper, if those in the deaf community are uncomfortable with the term (dumb) then use the term silent supper.that way it can’t be connected with deaf people.
My coven has hosted a Silent Supper for the past several years, and yes… we call it a Silent Supper and always have. I don’t know if it started out of any sort of desire to be “politically correct” or less offensive, but having discussed this issue with Ocean personally, I’m glad that we do refer to it by this name.
I agree with what Osh has to say… but I do want to explain that at our Silent Supper, in accordance to the rules we keep, even a Deaf person would be expected to remain silent… meaning that they would not be allowed to converse in any language, including sign language. The only communication we allow are very simplistic – facial expressions, head nods and head shakes, body language, and a few simple gestures. In a way, you almost have to anticipate what the other person might be thinking and wanting to say, and be able to respond to such thoughts, needs, and unspoken words appropriately.
The idea is that the spirits are always around us… but they usually can’t communicate to us through language. Thus we need to be able to interact with them on their terms, and the Silent Supper reminds us of the importance of doing so – on a night when such interaction is at its best.
Good post, Osh.
I have to agree with your outlook on the phraseology, although my Websters indicates that the “lacking power of speech” and “silent” meanings are from the Old English, while the Germanic “dumm” is the source of the meaning of “stupid”. Guess the Germans struck again, huh? But just common courtesy should make the use of “dumb” for a hard of hearing or deaf person as inappropriate. In addition, it dilutes its proper use for a person who is incapable of learning. Because it is a synonym for “stupid”, you could substitute it directly in the quote: “The difference between ignorance and stupidity is that ignorance can be cured.” So, lets all try and cure the ignorance and know we all have to put up with some stupidity.
Blessed Be
MoonStorm
I haven’t participated in the feast of the dead tradition, although on my altar for Samhain I do have pictures of those who have passed in my life with the expectation they are present and visiting. It is an expierence I would like to have though. Although, I did participate in a Passover dinner so I guess I have participated in the tradition from at least one spiritual aspect.
I think the term Dumb Supper will have to be a personal choice from person to person. It’s like the word “Witch” which in and of itself is not a negative word, but it has accumulated alot of negativity over the many years it has been in exisistence despite the many nuances and meanings to it. I’ve seen many pagans purposely use the word Witch to intentionally cause arguments etc.-which in my opinion dishonors the name greatly because it does more damage than good. But, it boils down to comfort level and common sense. If you know the word might be offensive, look for another word or be really clear what your intent is in using it anyways
I think Silent Supper is best. Even though I am hearing, I do not like the implication behind the word dumb. The word dumb, no matter who you are, can be considered offensive. I still know people who use the N word when speaking of black people.
I’m a Coda and prefer Silent Supper. I understand the history of the traditional “Dumb Supper” and still have some discomfort with the term. My (all hearing) classmates and I will be initiated as High Priests and High Priestesses in late January and some of us plan to Coven together. You can be sure that if we do host such an event, we will be calling it a Silent Supper!
bb,
Spirita
[...] in the U.S. (like the Ozark tradition of a “dumb supper” – now sometimes called a “silent supper“), most of us don’t regularly celebrate death. So a public remembrance of the dead [...]
Given that the term “dumb” in our culture has lost most of its “silent” connotations but retains all of its “stupid” connotations, I vote for Silent Supper. That’s what the term “dumb supper” is supposed to be saying. One is silent in order to hear, internally, the messages of the Ancestors, as well as respect. And “silent” is the word our culture uses for being quiet and still.
As far as “well, that’s the traditional name” — I vote for including that term in our histories, as we describe how Silent Suppers came about (“and in the Ozarks in 18xx, it was called a “dumb supper.”) Tell the history, and tell why we don’t call it that anymore. We are an old people, we are a new people, we are the same people, stronger than before.
I don’t think you’re being overly sensitive or politically correct. My knee jerked about a centimeter when I first saw the post, but I thought, Hey, Anna, they’ve got an excellent point. There is no point in keeping an offensive and archaic term.
Beautifully said, Anna. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Feel free to stop by any time!
Greetings! An excellent article with well made points. I shall endeavor to use and pass along this better name for a tradition that has roots in antiquity, but has already been modified by modern Pagans for generations
After all, dear old Gardner did a LOT of modifying of rituals and traditions from many many paths to create his version of modern Paganism! IF he did, then why not us?
Goddess blessings to you and yours as we near the time of the “Silent Supper” or “Feast of the Dead”.
GL
I practice this tradition every Samhain at midnight, but I have only ever refered to it as the feast of the dead, never a dumb supper. We even go so far as to pretend to eat a meal with nothing on the plates to represent our thankfulness for all the animals that have given their lives to sustain us over the course of the year.