As Halloween is quickly approaching and people begin to shop for their costumes, it’s important to acknowledge the history of the Halloween celebration. In acknowledging the past, we may also start to explore how Halloween – or similar holidays – are celebrated within different cultures and countries across the globe.
The Origins of Halloween
Currently, in the United States, we celebrate the holiday of Halloween on October 31. However, this celebration began within the Celtic community, with its primary purpose being to ward off ghosts by wearing costumes and utilizing fire. The Celtic people believed during this time of year that spirits would be able to cross the boundary between life and death and interact with the living world.
Halloween has deep connections to All Saints Day, which honors all the saints in the Catholic religion. This celebration occurs directly after the 31, on the first of November. This is commonly celebrated by going to church, praying, and offering candles and flowers. The All Saints Day holiday was initially known as All-Hallows, which is how the current term “Halloween” was created, as Halloween falls the day before All-Hallows.
Eventually, Halloween became popularized in the United States due to the heavy influx of Irish immigrants around the time of the Irish Potato Famine.
The ideas involving dressing up continued into the American practices of Halloween. People also went to each other’s homes in search of food and money. This act birthed the trick-or-treat practices present within the United States today.
However, over time Halloween became known less for its original purpose and more of a kid-focused holiday.
The United States is not the only country on the globe that observes Halloween. Countries worldwide in Europe, Asia, and the Americas have different ways of celebrating during the spooky season.
Mexico
Día de Los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated in many different Latin countries but most predominantly in Mexico. During this holiday, people welcome their dead family members back to the land of the living. It’s celebrated from October 31 to November 2. During this holiday, people create altars knowns as ofrendas to make offerings to their dead family members. On these ofrendas, you may find traditional Mexican foods and flowers, as well as a picture of the late family member you’re honoring.
Ireland
Ireland celebrates in rural areas by lighting huge bonfires. Similar to the United States, children dress up and trick-or-treat. They also have traditional games played on the day of the celebration. In a game called Snap Apple, the objective is to bite the apple hanging from a string. They also play other games with prizes like candy or money. Barnbrack, a cake traditionally eaten on Halloween, is also said to tell the future. Items typically found within the cake are rings or straws. The ring symbolizes a future marriage, and the straw represents good fortune.
Cambodia
In Cambodia, there is an annual fifteen-day festival used to honor their ancestors known as Pchum Ben. This year, it fell on September 11 and lasted until the 25th, but it moves around based on the Khmer calendar. During the first 14 days, families are supposed to gather and offer food and prayers to prevent unfortunate karma in the future. These prayers are said to help their ancestors rest easier and prevent their ancestors from cursing them. On the final day, flowers and sticky rice are offered to monks. Typically, on this last day, people dress up for the occasion.
England
Yearly in England, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated throughout the country. Bonfires are lit, and fireworks are used as well. This holiday was created to commemorate the death of Guy Fawkes. Guy Fawkes is said to be a traitor in the eyes of England, and this holiday originated to celebrate his execution that took place many centuries ago. In modern-day, this holiday is used to light fireworks and bonfires, but in the past, during these bonfires, they’d put models of Guy Fawkes into the flames. Guy Fawkes isn’t celebrated the same way it was centuries ago, but you still see pieces of the original practices scattered within the modern practices.
No matter when or how you choose to celebrate the holiday this year, remain safe this Halloweekend!