Long, long ago, way before chocolate bars and pumpkin-shaped candies, there were the Celts, ancient people who lived in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and parts of France. Around 2,000 years ago, they celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) on October 31. Samhain means “summer end”. It marked the end of harvest season and the start of winter on November 1st, a time they believed ghosts liked to visit the living. So they built big bonfires to burn crops and animal sacrifices and tried to tell each other’s fortunes around the fire.
During Samhain, people think the boundary between life and death becomes super thin. Just imagine it as a poor internet connection in the midst of tasks that must be completed or an exam. Chaos, the spirits can cross the boundary easily and may soon get up to mischief. Disturbing people with their voices, or showing off a few tricks. So that those who are still alive remain safe, they leave food outside the door so that the spirits have snacks. The spirits get free service!
Then came the Romans, who conquered the Celtic lands around 43 A.D. They had their own festivals, like Feralia, a day to honor the dead, and Pomona, celebrating the goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is an apple. Thanks to Pomona, they got the fun Halloween tradition of “bobbing” for apples. A large basin is filled with water, and then several apples are placed in it. Then, players with their hands tied behind their backs will remove the apples from the water by biting them. Yep, it’s a wet game.
Fast forward a few centuries, and Christianity started spreading across Europe. The church wasn’t a big fan of wild ghost festivals, so in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III decided to make November 1 become All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, to honor saints and martyrs. The night before it, October 31, became All Hallows’ Eve. Over time, the name eventually became Halloween. So yes, Halloween is basically a linguistic shortcut.
Trick-or-treating can be dated all the way back to the parades of All Souls’ Day in England, roughly 1000 A.D. Kids and the poor went door to door asking for “soul cakes,” a small sweet bread, in exchange for praying for the dead. This later was called “going-a-souling,” where they would visit neighbors and be given food, ale, or money.
When European immigrants, especially the Irish, came to America in the 1800s, they brought their spooky traditions with them. Then, over time, Americans began wearing costumes and knocking on doors from house to house for candy or chocolate. This became the trick-or-treat that everyone knows today. What began as Samhain, a night of fires and fear, has become Halloween, a night of laughter, lights, and too much sugar. Besides, who can resist a night full of sweets and costume parties?
Journalist: Sekar Pudyan