The cavity-inducing night that sends shivers down spines has a long history and many variations. Most cultures do however, centre around the awakening of those who have passed and souls crossing over worlds as the veil that divides them is at its most fragile. While some cultures participate in small rituals like traditional German families ensuring knives in the house are safely tucked away so any souls of the dead coming to visit them won’t get hurt, others hold colourful festivities for days.
Let’s start at the beginning of where modern-day popularised Halloween (deriving from the term “All Hallows' Eve”) originated;
Scotland and Ireland
Many modern Halloween traditions originate from the Pagan Celtic population (that once inhabited these countries). On 31st October, a festival named Samhain (pronounced like “sow” to mean a pig and “win” but with a longer “ee” sound – Gaelic is ‘tricky’) was originally used to celebrate the Celtic New Year. Festivities included bonfires, games, traditional foods and fortune-telling – much of which is still part of Halloween celebrations today. ‘Barmbrack’ is the bread that decides your future – a loaf filled with sultanas, raisins and string, rings or silver coins. It’s said that whichever slice you pick will bring you wealth, love or – a lifetime alone (spooky).
USA
The Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the United States in the 19th century and the once traditional Samhain (remember “sow-win”) quickly became a social occasion to celebrate and organise parties. Traditions evolved to include costumed children asking ‘trick-or-treat’ around the neighbourhood and the carved pumpkin lanterns that can be seen everywhere today. The US arguably has the most publicised Halloween traditions and is usually the first culture that comes to mind for this annual event.
In some cities, Halloween traditions have taken quite a turn from little witches and vampires asking for sweet treats to delinquencies in the name of “fun”. The night before Halloween, thrill-seekers in New England and Detroit get up to mischief that can range from stealing local farmer’s fruit to setting cars on fire (those little devils). In some cities, the practice has become so vicious that volunteers set up ‘Angel’s Night’, to patrol the streets and counteract the chaotic acts.
Romania
Halloween in Romania is a great opportunity to learn more about the the world’s most famous vampire, Count Dracula. Some residents and tourists visit his lair – Bran Castle in Transylvania, which is a Gothic-style fortress dating back to 1377 – for a spooky Halloween party. As many European traditions do however, Romanians have more than 1 day to celebrate the supernatural. Many wait on the festivities until 30th November to celebrate Noaptea Strigoilor (the night of the spirits).
Mexico
El Dia De Los Muertos (the day of the dead) unravels over two days and honours family members who have crossed over to the other world. A table is prepared where the family places food, calveritas (poems written for the dead) and cempasuchil (flowers) for their ancestors. A drawing on the floor is then made to lead the spirits of past relatives to the table. Families paint their faces as colourful skulls, hold parades, sing and dance – all to celebrate their lost loved ones coming to visit them again (like the Disney movie Coco).
Italy
Italy has adopted the modern-day tradition of celebrating Halloween among young people as it falls the day before 2 other culturally significant days for passed souls. From 31st October to 2nd November, parties to celebrate the spooky are followed by feasts held to remember and honour the Saints and those who have passed. With Halloween on 31st October followed by Ognissanti (all saints day) on 1st November, and then Il Giorno Dei Morti (the day of the dead – yes like Mexico), on 2nd November.
China
In many Asian countries, Halloween as we know it is not part of their cultural identity, however like the above examples, other similar celebrations have evolved to honour the otherworldly. A festival called Teng Chieh (or the Feast of the Hungry Ghosts) usually occurs during Summer – the 15th night of the 7th Chinese month (around September in the Gregorian calendar). People believe that spirits revisit the land of the living for one day. Many prepare lanterns, bonfires and food offerings to help them find their way.
Japan
Similar to the Chinese is the Japanese Obon Festival, originally of Buddhist traditions. People celebrate the return of the spirits of their ancestors and everything ends with lanterns which are set free on the river to symbolise the return of the spirits from the world of the dead. Japan has dipped into more Western traditions in modern days and costumes and dressing up in Japan is serious business. The Kawasaki Halloween Parade is famous for its outrageous costumes – from walking zombies and ghastly ghouls to creepy cats and fallen angels, this parade entices, excites and spooks!
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