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Halloween Around the World

Oct 29

Written by: Neil E. Traveler
Friday, October 29, 2010 8:00 AM

It’s the common question you hear every October: “What are you going to be for Halloween?” A werewolf, a witch or perhaps a Jersey Shore cast member - sure to be popular this year. Whatever you choose, you’ll probably take part in any number of Halloween activities: from trick-or-treating to carving pumpkins to attending Halloween parties. Any reason to celebrate is a good reason, right? Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate? Here are some fun Halloween-related festivities from around the world to think about while you’re wrapped up like a mummy in your own celebration.

Ireland is the granddaddy of all things spooky. Halloween began here as the pagan celebration Oíche Samhain, or the “End of Summer Festival.” Legend has it that on this night, the line between the world of the living and the world of the dead becomes so blurred that the dead are able to creep over to spend some time among the living. The Irish believed that in order to blend in with all of the spirits when you ventured outside of your house, it was necessary to dress up as spirits or creatures. I bet you’re questioning the effectiveness of that princess costume! If you don’t want to dress as something creepy, no problem! You could always carve scary faces into turnips or attend one of the huge bonfire gatherings - both of which are supposed to ward off evil spirits.

Prior to all of these activities, Irish children would visit their neighbors and ask for fruit, nuts and sweets for the festival - much like today’s trick-or-treating, only a bit healthier. Snickers bars aren’t the traditional food of the holiday in Ireland. They prefer Barmbrack, a bread into which several “surprises” are baked. The Irish have to be careful when eating the bread though; if they gobble it down too fast they might accidentally digest the object hidden in their serving. The “surprises” include items such as rings, coins, pieces of cloth and straw, which are believed to tell the fortune of the person who receives them. If you get the ring you’ll be the next to get married!

Like the United States, many other countries have taken the Irish holiday and added their own twists. In German households, they put away their knives at night so that the dead don’t accidentally hurt themselves during their visit. Now that’s good hospitality! Italians leave food on the table and the house open so that, while the family is at church praying for the souls of the dead, the dead can feast. In the Czech Republic, they set one chair for each family member and another for each of their spirits by the fireside on Halloween night. For some countries like France, Halloween is seen as a recently introduced American holiday that is often celebrated, though it holds no cultural importance.

England has its own celebration with similar festivities to Samhain, but with an entirely different history. Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Bonfire Night, celebrates the failed bombing of a Parliament building by catholic conspirators. Among them was the man who gave the holiday its namesake - Guy Fawkes himself. The English light bonfires on which they may or may not decide to burn “guys”—replicas of Guy Fawkes—and set off fireworks. Other Guy Fawkes dummies were accompanied by signs reading things similar to “give a guy a penny.” These Guy dolls were used by children to raise money to buy fireworks. However, the practice has died down considerably because it is seen as a form of begging, and because fireworks are no longer sold to children.

Asian countries also celebrate the spirits of the dead. In China, Teng Chien, or the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, lasts a whole month! For the entire 7^th month of the Chinese calendar year, the gates of Hell are left wide open and the spirits of hungry ghosts are free to walk among the living. Families pay tribute to their dead ancestors through prayer, the presentation of prepared meals, and the burning of paper objects like TV’s and houses that are thought to give the dead a comfortable existence in the afterlife. The work doesn’t stop there—the Chinese also put on very noisy outdoor opera performances to attract the dead. Don’t hold your breath for good seats though because the front row seats of these performances are always left empty for those otherworldly visitors! Not all of the spirits are friendly though, so children are encouraged to stay indoors once it gets dark.

Perhaps one of the best known Halloween-like celebrations is el Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead. This dazzling festival is unrelated to Samhain and falls on the second of November. Just like Teng Chien, el Dia de los Muertos is a day of celebration centered on prayer and remembrance of the dead. Families clean and visit the graves of their dead relatives, decorating them will sugar skulls, marigolds and food. Their aim? To lure the souls back toward the world of the living so that they can hear all of the high praise that their loved ones have for them. With encouragement like that it’s no wonder the dead stop by for a visit! The celebrations all have a humorous tone as the living recall the antics and funny stories about those who have passed on. Private altars are constructed and decorated with crosses, pictures of the dead and other religious symbols in praise of the deceased. The living wear shells on their clothes to wake the dead up, or dress up as the deceased to pay them tribute. While regional celebrations and traditions may vary, rest assured that they are all a good time!

Here in America we get carried away celebrating the holiday by spreading fear. Scary stories, haunted houses and horror movies give even the bravest among us nightmares. But this holiday isn’t about being afraid of the dead, it’s about praising them! So, while you’re bobbing for apples, drinking cider, or bothering your neighbors for sweets, be sure to honor the dead. They did travel a pretty long way to visit, after all.

Do you do anything special or out of the ordinary to celebrate Halloween? Leave a comment below and tell us what it is.

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Hi, I'm Amy! Avid traveler and social marketing guru at NETC. I'm also the editor of NETC's Educated Traveler blog, where you'll find all kinds of information about travel and education, tips, NETC news, classroom lesson ideas and more! Subscribe above!

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