Dec 27, 2015
Origins
Halloween began two thousand years ago in Ireland, England, and Northern France with the ancient religion of the Celts.
This day marked the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.
They celebrated their New Year on November 1st.
Samhain (sow-in)
On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.
To commemorate the event, people built huge sacred bonfires where animals and crops were sacrificed to the Gods for protection, and to help scare ghosts away.
The Christian Influence
in the 7th century Pope Boniface IV designated
November 1st All Saints Day, a time to honor Saints and Martyrs. It was known as All Hallowmas (All Saints’ Day).
Thus, October 31st became known as All Hallows Eve, and eventually was shortened to the current day title, Halloween.
All Souls’ Day
November 2nd, called All Souls’ Day, is the day set apart in the Roman Catholic Church for the commemoration of the dead.
All Souls Day is sometimes called the “Day of the Dead.”
It’s a day of remembrance for friends and loved ones who have passed away.
During the All Souls’ Day festival in England, poor people would beg for “soul cakes,” made out of square pieces of bread with currants
Families would give soul cakes in return for a promise to pray for the family’s relatives.
Becoming an American Tradition
Halloween arrived in North America courtesy of Irish and Scottish emigrants who brought stories of Samhain and Hallowmas, as well as tales of ghosts and spirits with them.
In the 1840s, during the Irish Potato Famine. The holiday flourished into what is now modern day Halloween.
Traditions of Halloween
Many of the traditions associated with Halloween can be traced back to the ancient festivals of Samhain and Hallowmas.
Including :costumingtrick-or-treatingbobbing for applespumpkin carving the lighting of bonfires.
then children…
The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.
The Jack-O-Lantern
The Irish used to carry turnips with candles in them to light their way at night and to scare away ghosts..
When they arrived in America they found that pumpkins were both plentiful
and easier to carve than turnips.
Bibliography
www.wilstar.com/holidays/hallown.htm
www.historychannel.com/halloween
www.fni.com/heritage/oct97/historyhall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Souls_Day#Pagan_roots