Halloween was originally a pagan holiday celebrated by Celtic people and born from the pagan holiday "Samhain"[phpbay]
Samhain is a holiday that celebrates the dark season of the Celtic year[phpbay] Gallic people also celebrated this holiday; which was called "Samonios"[phpbay] Samonios has been replaced in Gallic countries by Christian celebrations[phpbay]
Samhain was celebrated three days before and three days after November 1st and the origin of there was no carved pumpkin nor trick or treating[phpbay] People had a lantern made out of a turnip[phpbay] The celebration was strictly observed by the whole society and gave the opportunity to every barbarian to eat, drink and have fun[phpbay]
Over the centuries, continental Europe converted to Christianity and abandoned Samonios in favour of All Saints Day and Samhain became All Hallow's Eve[phpbay]
However, the Halloween that we currently celebrate has nothing in common with Samhain[phpbay]
Halloween and All Saints Day are still interrelated because Halloween means "The Night Before the Feast of All Saints" and "All Hallow's Day" is our Continental All Saints Day[phpbay]
All Hallow's Eve; which evolved during the Christianization of European populations, was imported in America by European colonists and the current Halloween holiday was created by the Irish emigrants[phpbay]
In Belgium, two villages still celebrate Samonios (Samhain), born from All Saints Day, Grindin and Saint Gregory holidays[phpbay] One of these villages is Gouy-Lez-Pieton[phpbay] A friend of mine lives in Gouy and when I talk about Halloween, she says: "We did not replace Saint Nicholas holiday by Christmas so, we will not replace our All Saints Day and our Day Of The Dead by Halloween!" However, she agreed to organize a Halloween party with me next year[phpbay]
Here are some countries which celebrate Halloween:
If some continental European countries adopted Halloween, this has not been without difficulty[phpbay] Indeed, we consider this celebration being too "American Marketing" style[phpbay] European people give more value to their culture and traditions than to commercial events[phpbay]
Belgian people celebrate Halloween since more than ten years but Gouy-Lez-Pieton refuses to adopt it, preferring to celebrate their own Samhain-style holiday[phpbay] Even if Belgian people organize a Day Before Christmas dinner, they still offer gifts to children on December 6th and not on December 25th[phpbay] So, I doubt that my country will replace All Saints Day by Halloween[phpbay]
On the other hand, Belgian people do not open their doors to unknown persons - including children - and we are not welcomed to ask for candies[phpbay] By the way, many children are fighting in the streets to steal candy from others[phpbay]
French people think that this holiday is too commercial and while this country finally adopted Halloween in the late 1990s, it is now less appreciated[phpbay] There are very few children ringing at the doors and asking for sweets[phpbay]
English people celebrate the Guy Fawkes Day on November 5th and adopted many customs from Samhain[phpbay] These festivities are marked by torchlight parades where children use masks made from beets and pumpkins[phpbay]
Scottish people practice their ancient pagan rites[phpbay] Children wear costumes and cut scary faces into large rutabagas and place a candle inside them[phpbay] They receive candy when they provide a nice entertainment to their neighbours[phpbay]
Trick or treating originated in Ireland, so as usual, Irish children in disguise will enjoy the Halloween festivities, they will carry lanterns cut into large rutabagas[phpbay] Children will be received by their neighbours with sweets and Irish houses will be decorated with Halloween lights[phpbay]
Spanish people enjoy each kind of holidays and parties[phpbay] Their kids will then enjoy receiving candies from their neighbours and adults will have the opportunity to have a Halloween party in each and every club[phpbay] Spanish people also organize many Halloween parades[phpbay]
Portugal does not celebrate Halloween; Portuguese people celebrate the Day of the Dead by organizing feasts at the cemetery[phpbay]
Some regions of Italy organize Halloween Events and it seems that the Italian children enjoy this holiday[phpbay]
Other European cities and clubs organize commercial events for Halloween (mainly for tourists), newspapers publish articles dedicated to Halloween, but I am unsure that people really practice Halloween[phpbay] There are very few information about Halloween festivities in Europe; especially Central and eastern Europe[phpbay] They stick to their own All Saints Day and Day Of The Dead[phpbay]
Australia and New Zealand begin to enjoy Halloween[phpbay]
USA, Canada, and Quebec: Halloween is very much appreciated and I think that only some worldwide disaster should prevent these people to celebrate Halloween[phpbay]
Since some years, there is a growing interest on the part of the Chinese population for western events: Chinese people enjoy Halloween parties[phpbay]
About the Author:
D[phpbay] Halet is an European history, Holidays and Tarot Cards passionate; she writes articles and creates websites dedicated to these subjects[phpbay]
For more info on Halloween Costume ideas, visit My Happy Halloween! and receive a free My Happy Halloween Guide[phpbay]
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on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 at 12:45 pm and is filed under halloween.
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