Spotlight on: Halloween
Halloween is known worldwide as an event where people decorate their homes with pumpkins, dress up in costumes and go ‘trick or treating’ for sweets. However, Halloween has more cultural roots than you may realise. David, Student Support Officer, writes about the history of Halloween.
In England, Halloween can trace its roots back to the Pagan festival Samhain. Tracking its roots back to 2,000 years, the festival is believed to have come from the growing and harvest season, in which October marks the end. During this time of transition, it was believed that the barrier between the world of the living and dead would grow weaker, so Celtic priests (known as Druids) would light bonfires and lead celebrations to help ward spirits away.
As years went by and Christianity became the predominant religion in England, the festival became co-opted and had its name changed. First to All-hallows-even, Hallow Eve, Hallowe’en and finally Halloween. Traditions from England include bobbing for apples in water, telling ghost stories and carving faces into vegetables. It was not until the holiday transitioned to America that pumpkins were used, as they were not common in England. More common was the use of beetroots and swede.
In Ireland and Scotland, the celebrations are much the same, with the festival of Samhain being the festival that eventually became Halloween. It is believed that people would wear masks to hide their faces from evil spirits. In Ireland, the holiday is known as Oíche Shamhna.
In America, the holiday was brought over to the country by Irish and Scottish immigrants. The costumes they brought over were mixed with Native American traditions. Due to their abundance, pumpkins were used in creating lanterns. It wasn’t until the 1920s to 50s that now traditional elements of trick or treat and dressing in costumes started, which resulted in the holiday being more focused around children.
In France La Toussaint (all saints day) is a religious holiday occurring on 1st of November and is used to commemorate friends and family who have passed away. This involves attend church services, lighting candles and leaving flowers at graves.
Halloween in France gained traction during the 1990s and, while it has risen and fallen in popularity over the years, it remains a fun curiosity for many. Activities around this period mirror many other celebrations, with costumes, candy and decorations.
In Mexico, day of the dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a holiday focused on the relation between the living and dead. Offerings are made to honour family members who have passed away. It is unique in that mourning is exchanged with celebration. Calaveras are skulls drawing with bright colours and smiles, and come in the form of clay sculptures, paper or sugar (called Alfeñiques).
In China, Teng Chieh or the ‘Lantern Festival’ is a traditional Halloween celebration. Falling on 14th night of the seventh lunar month, this festival honours those who have passed on by offering food and water. Lanterns are placed on boats and released into water to honour the dead and light their way.
In Japan, what is considered more western, Halloween is celebrated as in many other countries with costume parties and parades. A traditional holiday called Obon, which occurs in August, is a holiday to commemorate family who have passed away. Lanterns are placed in front of houses to guide spirits and offers of food are made. Parades are held in cities to help celebrate the event.
Come along to our Halloween Party on Thursday 2nd November in the Common Rooms at both campuses!
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Halloween celebrations & traditions across the Globe (no date) InterNations. Available at: https://www.internations.org/magazine/halloween-celebrations-traditions-across-the-globe-39915 (Accessed: 23 October 2023).
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Annie André (2021) Why you should carve root or turnip Jack O’Lanterns instead of pumkin, Annie André. Available at: https://www.annieandre.com/carve-scary-turnip-jack-olantern-halloween-not-pumpkin/ (Accessed: 23 October 2023).
Obon (no date) Japan Travel and Living Guide. Available at: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2286.html (Accessed: 23 October 2023).
Halloween in China (no date) Halloween in China — Origin and History of Teng Chieh in China — Teng Chieh Date China. Available at: https://www.fundootimes.com/festivals/china-halloween.html (Accessed: 23 October 2023).
