The air has grown colder, and Halloween is upon us once again. One of the oldest holidays in the modern calendar, dating back as far as the Pagan times, it has reached global popularity. Bring on the pumpkins and trick-or-treaters, right? Perhaps not; your associations with the 31st October may be not shared worldwide, as it’s interestingly celebrated differently in all cultures.
Originating in Ireland, where it’s still very much celebrated, their traditions have been heavily adapted by the United States, including the most recognisable trick-or-treating: dressing up and Jack-o’-Lanterns. There is also a traditional game called “snap-apple” where an apple on a string is tied to a tree and players are supposed to try and bite it (think apple-bobbing, just a bit more intense).
One of the most interesting Halloween traditions is the Mexican Day of the Dead (Diadelos Muertos). It starts annually on the 31st of October and ends on the 2nd of November, celebrating death and the spiritual after life. It’s believed that on Halloween, the souls of the dead return to their bodies, and candles and incense are burned to help the deceased find their way home. In this tradition, death is not seen as something sad–they welcome death and acknowledge its significance by building altars, honouring the deceased using sugar skulls and offering the favourite foods of the deceased. These gifts are then brought to the graves in a ceremonial manner, and the graves are decorated with wreaths and flowers. This is something we could adapt and welcome into Halloween culture in the UK, as it provides a very healthy attitude to death and the after life.
Having grown up in Russia, Halloween was never really a big deal for me as a child. I had seen it being celebrated on foreign TV shows and movies, and it always intrigued me, but I never really had the whole experience until I moved to Spain. That was when I first went trick-or-treating, and got a chance to dress up. Since then, I have embraced Halloween as a tradition; it’s an excuse to go all out with a costume, try out scary new makeup techniques and embrace the spooky atmosphere.
It was interesting for me to learn how the view of Halloween can differ between individuals. One of my housemates made a comment that she’s never cared for Hallows Eve, possibly stemming from her parents not letting her go trick-or-treating when she was younger. Granted, knocking on strangers’ doors asking for candy does sound a little dodgy, yet it’s somehow perfectly socially acceptable on the 31st of October.
For some people, Halloween doesn’t seem to be more than just another excuse for a big night out; a time where everyone will go out together or have a huge house party. Either way, we all need a holiday between summer and Christmas – and Halloween could not come at a better time!
Sofia Dedyukhina
Featured image from Wikipedia.