Halloween 31st October
Many people celebrate Halloween on October 31st with costumes, parties, trick-or-treating and carved pumpkins.
Its Celtic origins start in Scotland and Ireland with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain which celebrates the end of harvest and the start of winter. It was believed that at this time the boundary between the living and the dead was thin allowing sprits to pass into the living world. Children would dress up in costumes known as “guising”. They would perform songs, jokes or small tricks in exchange for food or gifts.
Halloween was also known as All Hallow’s Eve, the night before All Saint’s Day (1st November) then All soul’s Day (2nd November). During this time families would bake soul cakes giving them to children or the poor in exchange for prayers for the dead.
Halloween has also been known as Nut-Crack Night or Apple and Candle Night. These refer to seasonal games and communal gatherings held to celebrate the autumn harvest.
Roots to our modern Halloween did originate in the British Isles with the v Celtic and Christian traditions of Samhain and All Hallow’ Eve. However modern Halloween has been influenced by American Traditions. Trick or Treat!