INTRODUCTION:

When October 31st finally rolls around, people from all over grab what they need to prepare for a big event. Every year, children roam the streets searching for the best haunted houses, the best horror movies, and the best candy. What many people fail to realize is how this holiday all started. It didn’t exactly begin with kids knocking on doors screaming “Trick-or-Treat.” The beginning of this occasion may even surprise you….

EDUCATION:

According to www.history.com and www.rd.com, All Hallows Eve, or what is now called Halloween, started off with ancient Celtic festivals about 2000 years ago. They called this event Samhain (pronounced sow-in). During this event, people would dress up in ghost costumes, sacrifice crops and animals, and attempt to tell each other’s futures. Their new year was November 1st and they believed that the day before new years was when the ghosts of the dead came back to Earth. They thought these spirits came back to ruin their crops. To protect them, they would leave food and drinks out as a piece offering to the ghosts. They also dressed in ghost costumes hoping that it could be a great disguise to blend in with them.  Nowadays, we celebrate Halloween with dressing up as our favorite characters, creeping out our friends, and stuffing our mouths with a butt load of chocolate! Although the Celtics’ All Hallows Eve and our Halloween may differ, there are a few similarities. We both dress in costumes, tell each other stories, and simply HAVE FUN!

HALLOWEEN ACROSS THE WORLD:

(www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org)

Mexico, Latin America, and Spain:

Although many Latinos don’t celebrate Halloween, the holiday closest to it is known as Dia de los Muertos. This holiday starts on October 31st and ends on November 2nd. During this three-day celebration, people dress like skeletons and dance their hearts out in the streets. In the villages, parades and picnics are held so that family members can reminisce. This entire holiday is all about celebrating the loved ones that have lived and gone.

Germany:

On Halloween night in Germany, everyone places their knives out on their counter tops. They believe that this will prevent anything harmful from happening to them and their families from the roaming spirits.

Hong Kong:

A Halloween-like event is called “Yue Lan” (AKA Festival of the Hungry Ghosts) in Hong Kong. Some people decide to burn pictures of fruit and money. They do this because they hope it will somehow reach the ghosts and bring them comfort. They also offer gifts and light fires to soothe angry ghosts that are possibly seeking for revenge.

Austria:

Austrians once considered this special day to be “magical.” They would leave bread, water, and a lit lamp on their table. When they go to sleep, these dead souls would be welcomed with the generous gifts they have offered.

No matter where you live in the world, Halloween is a remarkable occasion that deserves to be celebrated. Now is the time to get out, get scared, and get some candy!!!