In recent years, the celebrations associated with Halloween have gained more and more fans. To give you an idea, just take a look at the number of themed events and parties that take place around this time in Lisbon. But what are Halloween traditions really like?
In essence, they stem from Christian celebrations, but their roots are much more complex. This is because many of the traditional elements associated with Halloween come from the Celtic paid harvest festival of Samhain.
In many countries, people dressed up and wore masks to confuse the souls of the dead who wanted to settle scores with the people who had wronged them.
This particular tradition has endured for a long time. However, the essence of Christian Halloween is to honor the souls of the dead.
Many religions also have festivals that serve a similar spiritual purpose. This is how this spooky season is celebrated all over the world.
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The offering of Soul Cakes in England
This is the international tradition most similar to our Bread for God. Soul Cakes are small, round cakes specially made for Halloween.
These cakes are given to children who knock on doors, sing and pray for the souls of the dead.
It’s an English tradition and, in some places, it was customary to carry a horse’s head on a stick, called an old cob, which is something you certainly wouldn’t want to see in the dark.
It’s a very old tradition and still exists in some countries, notably the Philippines and Portugal. The cakes are given in exchange for a promise from the recipient: that they will pray for the souls of the donor’s family.
Day of the Dead in Mexico
Dia de Los Muertos is one of the best-known Mexican Halloween traditions, which has become known around the world due to the bright and elaborate costumes worn during the festival.
To remember the souls of dead relatives, people gather to pray and celebrate life. Real altars are built in people’s homes for the deceased, covered with flowers and the deceased’s favorite objects.
The graves of the dead are decorated and gifts are given. It’s a very colorful and joyful celebration of life and death.
Pangangaluwa (Spirituality) in the Philippines
Pangangaluwa has the same meaning as All Saints’ Day, but in the Philippines. Children cover themselves with a white sheet to look like ghosts and knock on doors in exchange for sweets.
As in Portugal, it’s also normal for Filipinos to travel to their birthplaces to visit the graves of their relatives.
Stuffed barmbrack in Ireland
Barmbrack is a tasty Irish bread, stuffed with dried fruit and often with a cup of tea. In the 18th century, it was customary to stuff these cakes with objects: a ring, a pea, a stick, a coin and a cloth.
Depending on which part of the slice you received, there was a different meaning: the slice with a ring meant that you would probably get married soon; the pea meant the opposite; the stick predicted a troubled marriage; the rag predicted a life of poverty for the recipient; and the coin meant wealth.
Barmbracks are still traditional for Halloween in Ireland, but nowadays it’s no longer allowed to stuff them with these objects, although in some situations the coin is still hidden, much to the delight of the little ones.
Teng Chieh, in China
Teng Chieh, also known as the Ghost Festival, marks the end of the Chinese New Year under the full moon.
It’s normal for people to hang lanterns outside their homes or even businesses, creating an organic light show in all the streets where this ritual is customary.
As with most (good) celebrations, Teng Chieh is celebrated with lots of food, also offered to the spirits of departed ancestors.
Pchum Ben in Cambodia
Pchum Ben is usually celebrated in October in Cambodia and lasts a full 15 days, where people pay homage to deceased relatives.
The 15 days in which the souls wander the earth are a time of celebration rather than consternation, as people gather to eat and play music.
Fave dei morti, in Italy
In Italy, fave dei morti cookies used to be made with fava beans, but now they are made with almonds, which looks much more appetizing.
They are traditionally eaten on All Saints’ Day, which is also the day when relatives go to visit and tend the graves of their deceased relatives.
In Rome, it’s a popular day to ask the question: “Will you marry me?”
Peeling apples to predict the future, in the UK
Although this tradition is not very popular, it is still alive. On Halloween, people peel an apple and then throw a slice of the peel behind them.
The slice of peel will curl up on the ground and usually forms a letter, which will be the initial of their future spouse.
In Scotland, people used to tear stalks from cabbage heads and use them in the same way.
Adapted from Secret London