History of Halloween and cultures around the world

Did you notice the growing craze of Halloween these days? Have you wondered why people dress up as goblins and ghosts? Or why do people dress up in costumes, start hanging spooky decorations, go trick-or-treating or carve pumpkins? Read more to learn the eerie history of Halloween and some unique cultural twists on this spooky holiday. 

So, the million-dollar question is, when did this Halloween culture start? Would you believe that it all started over 2000 years ago? The origins of Halloween can be traced back to Samhain, an ancient Celtic holiday. According to the Celts, on October 31st, the line between living and paranormal becomes blurry and hazy that ghosts can quickly enter Earth. Spooky, right? To ward off those unwanted spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes made of animal skins to disguise themself.

Over time, this tradition evolved. Fast forward to Christianity spreading through Europe, this tradition merged with All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1st, also known as Hallows Day. This day was observed to honour saints and martyrs. The night before became All Hallows Eve, which eventually became? Yes, Halloween!

But why is everyone so obsessed with this?

Today, Halloween isn't just any other function or about some spooky stuff anymore; it's a huge celebration that everyone from toddlers to teens and adults can enjoy, from decorating homes with creepy decorations and attending costume parties to kids going for trick-or-treating to every household wearing their costume.

Adults enjoy horror movie marathons or Halloween-themed events like haunted houses or horror mazes. The best part? You can have all the fun without any restrictions.

Goblin or superhero? You're the boss. Would you prefer to be a walking pizza? That's cool, too. Many communities host pumpkin carving, design your cookie, fests and parades.

Be that eerie decor, sharing sugary bliss with neighbours or dressing up as a spooky character; it brings joy to people from tiny tots to youngsters. 

Unique Halloween culture around the world

Another eye-opener is that although Halloween is widely celebrated in the States, only some countries will evolve around the USA's traditions. Different countries have unique traditions that are similar to Halloween.

Starting with Costa Rica they are known for hosting Día Nacional de la Mascarada Costarricense. In this tradition, they wear colourful and elaborate masks with traditional costumes that transform them into mythical creatures, devils, historical figures, or whimsical characters. They participate in long parades and wear those costumes to celebrate their folklore. Participants dance and not just showcase their creativity and artistry with each costume; the air is filled with music and a sense of community. 

Moving over to the Philippines, where there's Pangangaluwa. It's a unique tradition generally held during the days that lead up to All Saints Day. Here, the little ones dress up as spirits, go door-to-door, sing, and ask for food to remember the departed souls.

By doing so, they believe they can appease the spirits and receive blessings. And what do they get? They are often given food, money or other treats. Yes, it has an uncanny resemblance with trick-or-treating with a hint of musical twist.

Italy, on the other hand, celebrates Ognissanti on November 1st, where they honour all saints. On This eve, families visit cemeteries to pay heed to their loved ones by leaving fresh flowers on their graves. Not just that, they go the extra mile by attending church services to commemorate the lives of saints. 

Their primary focus remains family quality time, love, reflection, gratitude and remembrance as families share stories and enjoy traditional food, i.e. "Ossa Dei Morti" (bones of the dead).

Want something extravagant? In Guatemala, the skies are breathing with colours during the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes festival. During this festival, skies are adorned with giant and colourful kites to communicate with their ancestors.

How humongous can they be? Well, some kites are taller than buildings. On this occasion, families come together to fly those colourful kites that represent messages sent to spirits by blending joy and remembrance. 

They are moving on to Ireland and Scotland, where they still celebrate "Samhain".

Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits, and people gather to tell stories, sing songs, feast, and partake in different traditional customs. One popular tradition is Dookin, where participants try to retrieve apples from a tub of water. The fun part? Using their mouths. 

Japan celebrates Halloween with a modern twist. Halloween trains are so popular amongst people of all ages, as here the decorations aren't just confined within the home; instead, they go an extra mile by decorating trains and stations with spooky decorations, and the compartments are filled with people dressed up in amazing costumes.  Imagine how it would be to celebrate Halloween while enjoying a picturesque train ride. 

As you can see, Halloween and similar traditions are rich in history and cultural significance. So whether you're dressing up for a party or honouring loved ones, it's a spooky season to celebrate life, remembrance, creativity and connection.

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