Unique Festival – ‘Halloween’ | Definition, Origin, History & Facts

What is Halloween and why is it celebrated?

Many festivals related to spirits are celebrated in almost all the countries of the world. One such festival is ‘Halloween’, which is celebrated on 31 October. It is believed that on this night the souls of dead ancestors come home and this festival is celebrated to welcome them.

History

The name Halloween is derived from ‘holiday’. It is the night before a holy day.

It is one of the oldest festivals celebrated across the world. Although it is celebrated in many countries, ‘Halloween’ is most popular in North America and Canada. Every year, about 65 percent of Americans decorate their homes and offices in a special way. The same amount of toffees that are sold on Christmas are bought by people on Halloween also.

Origin / Beginning

This festival is being celebrated for about two thousand years. At this time, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France together were one country. The name of this country was Celt. It originated from the Celtic Festival of Ireland. This festival is celebrated every year in Ireland at the end of the harvest season. On this day people give candy to each other and wear strange costumes. Children use new tricks to scare people in their neighborhood on ‘Halloween Night’.

‘Halloween’ folklore is popular among the people, according to which a farmer named Jack once trapped the devil in his net but he could neither go to heaven nor to hell. After this, being troubled by the devil, he made a candle from turnip and put burning coal in it. In this way it got rid of the devil.

After this this day started being celebrated as ‘Halloween’. On this occasion, people make different shaped faces in turnip.

Apart from turnip, pumpkin is also used for this. People believe that this will keep evil spirits away from them.

Children have special importance in this festival. Actually they take the form of spirits and go to the doors of all the houses. People give them to eat toffees bought and kept in their homes.

Why is Halloween celebrated in India?

Now it has started being celebrated in some parts of India. It can be due to the influence of Western culture through people, movies and social media. Due to the spooky costumes, makeup, and candies attracts kids for Halloween festival. ‘Halloween’ also has many nicknames, such as ‘All Hallows’ Eve’, ‘Witches’ Night’, ‘Lamswool’, ‘Snap Apple Night’, ‘Samhain’ and ‘Summer’s End’.

Which country celebrates Halloween?Different forms of festival

Mexico, Latin America and Spain

In Mexico, Latin America and Spain, people remember their dead relatives on this day. Here ‘Halloween’ is celebrated from 31 October to 6 November. Here people prepare a place of worship in their homes and decorate it with candles, candy, flowers, photographs, water and the favorite food items of the deceased.

Along with this, wash basin and towel are also kept there so that the souls can freshen up.

Germany:

Here on the night of ‘Halloween’ people throw knives out of the house so that the spirits coming into the house cannot harm them.

England:

On this day children make different types of pumpkins from big pumpkins. They give it the shape of a haunted mask. With this, they go door to door and collect donations while singing Punky Night songs. People also put turnip or pumpkin lanterns at the door of their houses. Apart from this, people also throw stones, vegetables and dry fruits in the fire to scare away evil spirits.

Czechoslovakia:

Here on this day chairs are placed around a burning fire. These chairs are for all those in the family who are alive. Apart from these, empty chairs are also kept there for those who have died.

China:

It is called Tengcheh. On this day people keep food items and light lights in front of the photographs of deceased family members. Paper boats in Buddhist temples to liberate ghosts

Austria:

People here cook food on Halloween night and burn it in the evening. Bread, water, burning lamp etc. are left on the table. In this way they welcome the souls coming to earth on this night.

Belgium:

It is considered very inauspicious for a black cat to cross your path or travel by ship on this night.

Japan:

On the lines of Halloween, Obon festival is celebrated in July or August. People prepare special dishes to welcome the spirits and hang bright red lanterns all around. Here everyone lights candles in the Kandil and also throws it into the river and sea.

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