It’s the time of year that’s probably your favourite time of year: cafés have started serving seasonal drinks, your scarf collection is getting its time in the sun, and everything is getting a little bit spooky. It’s about to be Halloween, and whatever your plans are, there’s a good chance they look like mine: dress up in a fun costume and hand out candy to kids that are also in costumes, then spend the weekend hanging out with other people wearing costumes. But is that how October 31 is spent in other parts of the world, even other parts of Canada? And, where did this tradition come from?
- Origins
-
Halloween, or Hallowe’en, is most connected to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival. It marked the end of the summer season and a weakened boundary between the living and the dead. During the festival, bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits. A few of the traditions we know today, like bobbing for apples, were assimilated into Samhain celebrations by the Romans during their occupation of Britain.
The name of Halloween, however, is a bit more recent. The Christian faith was being introduced to Britain, and its festivals with it. All Hallow’s Day, originally taking place in May, celebrated those who had died for their faith. In the eighteenth century, Pope Gregory moved it to November 1 in what may have been an attempt to replace Samhain. Samhain became All Hallow’s Eve and through the evolution of language became Hallowe’en.
- Halloween in Canada
-
Halloween was introduced to Canada by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the mid-eighteen hundreds. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the first recorded North American instance of a person disguising themselves for Halloween was in Vancouver in 1898.
Prior to the introduction and popularization of Halloween in Canada, Newfoundlanders practiced a different tradition on October 31: Colcannon Night. Originating in Ireland, this tradition saw items hidden in the dish known as Colcannon, which symbolized futures of fortune, marriage, or solitude. It didn’t involve as much candy as Halloween, but it sounds like a pretty fun tradition.
Nowadays, Canadian Halloween is celebrated in the same way that most North Americans do: dropping lots of money on candy and costumes, staying up late, and hoping your house isn’t the target of a trick!
- Halloween Abroad
-
For many of us and from our place in the world, Halloween seems like an essential part of each year. Although many countries do celebrate Halloween in some form, others don’t take part in the festivities of Halloween (or similar events) at all.
In countries like Australia, Halloween has been growing in popularity over the years. It is considered an “American thing” and therefore not accepted by everyone. To help children figure out which houses are offering up treats, residents will put up an orange balloon in front of their house as a sign that they’ve got the goods.
In Ireland, Halloween still leans more into the traditions that may not be as popular today, such as bobbing for apples or lighting bonfires. Some families still serve Colcannon as part of the festivities!
Halloween is a controversial topic in Russia, where religious groups and politicians call for its ban every year, calling it an anti-Christian holiday. Despite this, it remains popular among youth as an excuse to dress up and celebrate, just like in Canada.
- Similar Holidays
-
There are many celebrations and festivals that may be seen as similar to Halloween but are unique to the culture they originate from. One that often draws comparisons is Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, celebrated in most Latin American countries. You can see where the comparisons come from, what with the focus on those who have died and the tradition of getting dressed up in costume, but that’s mostly where the similarities end. You can read up on it here!
The Hungry Ghost Festival, which takes place on the 14th or 15th day of the seventh lunar calendar month, is celebrated in several East Asian countries, including China and Taiwan. The traditions and ceremonies vary from place to place, but at its core, these festivals are a way to pay respects to those who have passed on while also protecting oneself from harmful spirits.
One Irish and Newfoundland tradition that has fallen out of style is Mumming. An event taking place near Christmastime, people would dress up in disguises. Sometimes they would parade around town (though the practise was banned in many places), but in some places would make house visits. The resident of the house would try to guess the identity of the person under the disguise that had come to visit them. They would then be revealed and offered refreshments, similar to the handing out of candy on Halloween!
There is so much to know and learn about Halloween and the other festivals around the world that celebrate and honour the dead. In the case of Halloween, there’s more to it than candy and silly costumes. It doesn’t need to be an expensive celebration, it can be a bonfire or apples in a barrel. However you celebrate Halloween, have a safe and frightful time this year!