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Halloween was originally a pagan holiday
celebrated by Celtic people and born from the pagan holiday "Samhain".
Samhain is a holiday that celebrates the dark season of the Celtic year. Gallic
people also celebrated this holiday; which was called "Samonios". Samonios has
been replaced in Gallic countries by Christian celebrations.
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. People had a
lantern made out of a turnip. The celebration was strictly observed by the whole
society and gave the opportunity to every barbarian to eat, drink and have fun.
Over the centuries, continental Europe converted to Christianity and abandoned
Samonios in favor of All Saints Day and Samhain became All Hallow's Eve.
However, the Halloween that we currently celebrate has nothing in common with
Samhain.
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.
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.
In Belgium, two villages still celebrate Samonios (Samhain), born from All
Saints Day, Grindin and Saint Gregory holidays. One of these villages is
Gouy-Lez-Pieton. 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.
Here are some countries which celebrate Halloween:
If some continental European countries adopted Halloween, this has not been
without difficulty. Indeed, we consider this celebration being too "American
Marketing" style. European people give more value to their culture and
traditions than to commercial events.
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.
Even if Belgian people organize a Day Before Christmas dinner, they still offer
gifts to children on December 6th and not on December 25th. So, I doubt that my
country will replace All Saints Day by Halloween.
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. By the way,
many children are fighting in the streets to steal candy from others.
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. There
are very few children ringing at the doors and asking for sweets.
English people celebrate the Guy Fawkes Day on November 5th and adopted many
customs from Samhain. These festivities are marked by torchlight parades where
children use masks made from beets and pumpkins.
Scottish people practice their ancient pagan rites. Children wear costumes and
cut scary faces into large rutabagas and place a candle inside them. They
receive candy when they provide a nice entertainment to their neighbors.
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. Children will be received by their neighbors with sweets and Irish
houses will be decorated with Halloween lights.
Spanish people enjoy each kind of holidays and parties. Their kids will then
enjoy receiving candies from their neighbors and adults will have the
opportunity to have a Halloween party in each and every club. Spanish people
also organize many Halloween parades.
Portugal does not celebrate Halloween; Portuguese people celebrate the Day of
the Dead by organizing feasts at the cemetery.
Some regions of Italy organize Halloween Events and it seems that the Italian
children enjoy this holiday.
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. There are very few information
about Halloween festivities in Europe; especially Central and eastern Europe.
They stick to their own All Saints Day and Day Of The Dead.
Australia and New Zealand begin to enjoy Halloween.
USA, Canada, and Quebec: Halloween is very much appreciated and I think that
only some worldwide disaster should prevent these people to celebrate Halloween.
Since some years, there is a growing interest on the part of the Chinese
population for western events: Chinese people enjoy Halloween parties.
About the Author:
Prosperity66 More Info On Halloween, Halloween Costumes, Halloween Crafts, Halloween Recipes, Halloween Traditions at The Happy Halloween, Your Online Halloween Guide and receive 20 Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas.