Halloween is a very old holiday whose origins trace back to Ireland, in the Celtic New Year. The Celts, who were mainly a people of shepherds, used to celebrate the New Year at the beginning of November, when the hot season ended and the winter, cold and dark one, began. This passage from summer to winter was celebrated with long festivities and was called Halloween.
The Celtic origins of the festival
Halloween, therefore, unlike what is usually thought, is not a holiday born in America, but in Europe. During the Samhain, the Celts could finally rest and thank the Gods because the fruits of the fields had been harvested and the supplies to face the winter were ready. The main theme of the party was death. The Celts believed that on the eve of the festival, Samhain summoned all the spirits of the dead to him, allowing them to roam undisturbed on Earth.
On the night of 31 October, wearing grotesque masks, the Celts gathered in the woods where the ceremony of the lighting of the sacred fire took place and animals were sacrificed. Then they returned to the village lighting the path with lanterns. These were made by carving onions inside which they placed the embers of the fire. In Ireland, the custom spread to light torches and torches outside the doors and to leave food and milk for the souls of the dead who would visit their families, so that they would decide not to play tricks on the living.
From Ireland to America
With the advent of Christianity and the evangelization of the British Isles, the Church attempted to eradicate pagan cults. Halloween wasn't completely canceled, but it was somehow Christianized. It was established on All Saints' Day on November 1 and, later, the commemoration of the dead on November 2. Towards the middle of the 31th century, Ireland experienced a period of famine, during which, to escape poverty, many decided to emigrate to the United States. Here they continued to keep traditions alive and to celebrate Halloween on October XNUMXst. Soon, this custom spread across America, taking on macabre and commercial forms.
Pumpkin lantern
The term Halloween derives from All Hallows' Eve, which in archaic English means "Night of all sacred spirits", hence the eve of all saints. Halloween is now celebrated in different parts of the world on the evening of 31 October. Among the traditions linked to this festival is that of hollowed out pumpkins, carved to form a face and then transformed into lanterns, by placing a candle inside. They come left outside the doors of houses or placed behind window panes to keep evil spirits away. It was the Irish who brought to America the tradition of what, according to legend, took the name of Jack O 'Lantern. Initially, these lanterns were made with large turnips and beets.
Trick or treat?
Halloween is also associated with the custom of "trick or treat" (trick or trek in English), born in England, which has children as protagonists. They go from door to door to ring the bell shouting “Trick or treat?”, Looking for sweets, chocolates, lollipops, biscuits. The little ones, amused by this game, dress up as ghosts, animals, skeletons, witches. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages, when peasants and beggars knocked on doors to receive as a gift help to spend the winter offering in exchange prayers for the souls of the dead.
Fun guaranteed
Halloween is the scariest holiday of the year, now much awaited especially by the little ones. It is the perfect time to have fun playing and joking. But it is also an opportunity to decorate the house in an original and fun way or to prepare some special dishes. In Ireland, for example, they prepare the barnbrack, a fruit cake with a touch of wrapped moss inside that, they say, can predict the future of those who taste it. In America, however, the typical dessert of this festival is the caramelized apple. Over the years, this anniversary, thanks to the commercial push, has become an opportunity to celebrate even with friends on the premises. In short, an opportunity to be lived with lightness, joy and lots of fun. And you, are you ready to celebrate the scariest night of the year?
