A link between Halloween and Samhain which is the Celtic festival of summers end celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man has been found by Historians. According to Celtic belief the veil between the Otherworld and our world during Samhain became thin which makes it easier for spirits and the souls of the dead to return. People during this time would make offerings of food to get on the good side of the the spirits and the departed ancestors. Samhain was a significant holiday of the Celtic year. Bonfires were lit to honor the dead along with aiding the deceased on their journey.
"Allhallowtide, which includes All Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day, and the subsequent All Souls' Day, was initially celebrated in the spring, during the early years of the Church. Pope Gregory IV switched it to the current date in 837. His reasons were unclear, although influence from Celtic factions of the church and the fact that it makes sense to commemorate death during the fall are possibilities" (Aydin, 2019).
Bobbing For Apples
Bobbing for apples was a form of divination practice conducted around the holiday. Specifically women would mark an apple and toss it into a tub of water. They would try to bite the floating fruit to figure out their future spouse. Whoever pulled out the fruit marked was who they were destined to be with.
Jack 'O' Lanterns
Jack 'O' Lanterns came from an Irish legend. Here is the tale for you to read:
One night, a conniving local drunkard named Jack trapped the Prince of Darkness in a tree by hacking a sign of the cross into the bark. In exchange for letting Satan climb down, Jack had him vow to never claim his soul.
Jack proceeded to act like a jerk his whole life. When he died, he sure as heck was not allowed in heaven. So he tried to return to his old pal, the Devil. But Satan upheld his end of the deal, hurling a piece of coal from hell at the dead man for good measure.
Left without anywhere to go, Jack placed the blazing coal in a turnip to use as a lantern. The dead man then set out, doomed to wander until he can find an eternal resting place.
Trick or Treating
The Celts during ancient times would dress up as evil spirits to confuse demons. During medieval England, they called trick or treaters "soulers" and they would go around asking rich people for "soul cakes" on Halloween. Instead of playing tricks, they would instead pray for the souls in return for the cake. While visiting neighborhoods, the participants would play music, dance and conduct tricks.
"But modern day trick-or-treating didn't catch on in the US until the 1920s. The practice was pretty controversial into the 1950s, though. According to the American Journal of Play's "Gangsters, Pranksters, and the Invention of Trick-or-Treating," many adults raised "stern objections" to trick-or-treating over the decades, as it was often viewed as a form of extortion." (Aydin, 2019).
Halloween Around the World
Austria: Celebrates Martini on November 11, the festivities include costumes, lantern ceremony. Some people leave out bread, water and a lit lamp believing it will welcome the dead souls back to earth for the night.
Belgium: The people of Belgium light candles in memory for their deceased relatives.
Germany: In mid-October people start decorating. On November 11, Germans celebrate Matinstag which is similar to the Austrian tradition of wearing costumes and the lantern ceremony. However. "people put away their knives on Halloween night. The reason for this is because they do not want to risk harm to (or from) the returning spirits." (Ross, 2016).
Italy: People prepare for All Saints' Day, November 1st, known as Ognissanti, usually two days before it begins. They start by leaving fresh flowers on graves, specifically chrysanthemums on the graves of deceased loved ones as well as complete strangers." (Global Ties, 2014).
Poland: Across Poland in early November travel to cemeteries and visit the graves of their deceased family members. They celebrate with candles, flowers and offer prayers for their departed relatives. "On the second day, people attend a requiem mass for the souls of the dead." (Global Ties, 2014).
Nigeria: Awuru Odo Festival, occurs once every two years and can last up to six months. It's celebrated with feats, masks, and music before the dead return to the spirit world. The festival "marks the return of dearly departed friends and family members back to the living." (Global Ties, 2014).
India: The people of India celebrate Pitru Paksha. Which occurs "for 16 days during the second Paksha of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapad." (Global Ties, 2014). According to the Hindu religion, when a person dies their god of death Yama takes the soul of the deceased to purgatory. In purgatory the individual will find their last three generations of family members. During Pitru Paksha, the souls are allowed briefly to return to Earth and be with their families that are still alive.
To ensure a place in the afterlife for their family, individuals must perform a ritual called Shraddha, which is a fire ritual. If the fire ritual is not preformed the soul will wander the Earth for all eternity. During Pitru Paksha, families off food to their dead relatives. The food consists of "kheer (sweet rice and milk), lapsi (a sweet porridge), rice, lentils, spring beans, and pumpkins, which are cooked in silver or copper pots and served on banana leaves." (Global Ties, 2014).
What are some of your Halloween traditions?
Resources:
Aydin, R. & Cain, A. (2019). The Dark History Behind Halloween is Even More Chilling Than You Realized
Ross, M. (2015). The Coolest Halloween Traditions Around The World
Global Ties (2017). 12 Halloween Traditions From Around The World
Additional Resources:
Allerheiligentag (All Saints' Day) in Germany: Halloween's Origins and Traditions of Celebration in Germany
Halloween Around The World
Origins of Halloween
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