Australia as a nation has never been reluctant to incorporate cultural customs from throughout the globe. Halloween is the first international celebration of the summer season now that the weather is warmer and the days are longer. Here are some fascinating details regarding this holiday that is growing in popularity.
1. It All Began in Ireland
In the middle of the 1800s, Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the US. Halloween is founded on a Celtic feast, despite the fact that some Australians mistakenly believe it to be an American holiday. More than 2,000 years ago, County Meath hosted the first celebration of the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain.
The Celts considered it to be a period of transition when the wall separating this world from the next thawed and all those who had passed away that year entered the next life. However, if the lines separating the realms of the living and the dead crossed, the dead might return to life and cause mayhem among the living. It’s not good.
At the Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival, which takes place every year, the ancient past and the modern era collide. A Celtic festival is recreated, and the march through the town is lit by torches.
The Irish celebrate Halloween with bonfires, competitive games, and customary fare, such as a fruitcake filled with lucky coins, rings, buttons, and other trinkets. In the past, it was thought that if a young woman discovered a ring in her slice, she would get married the next year. In the middle of the 1800s, Irish immigrants brought Halloween to the US.
2. Globetrotting for Halloween
People who want to enjoy Halloween in a more spooky way visit historical attractions like Salem. Halloween celebrations have taken off all over the world, with must-attend destinations including New Orleans, Bangkok, Los Angeles, New York, and Limoges, France.
People seeking a more spooky way to celebrate flock to historical haunts in Salem, Massachusetts, and the Dracula tourist attractions in Romania, while daredevils can get their spook on at one of the 2,500 haunted attractions across the world, which have grown into a multimillion-dollar industry.
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3. Day of the Dead Isn’t Halloween
The Mexican event known as the Day of the Dead is significantly dissimilar to Halloween in that it celebrates the dead rather than fears them. Halloween and the Day of the Dead (Da de los Muertos), despite their superficial similarities in sweets, skeletons, costumed characters, and other graveyard and death imagery, are totally different occasions.
Halloween encourages a fear of the dead, but Da de los Muertos honors the dead. On November 2, people in Mexico, some regions of Central and South America, and increasingly all over the United States honor their departed relatives and loved ones by welcoming their spirits back into their homes so they can once again be a part of the family.
This custom originated with the Aztecs thousands of years ago. But as the Catholic faith spread throughout South America, the celebration of the dead’s schedule was adjusted to fall on All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Part of the reason why people mix up the two festivals is due to this link.
4. The Timing Is Important
Halloween is an abbreviation for All Hallow’s Evening, sometimes called All Saints Eve (the word “hallow” comes from the Old English meaning a saint). Since the eighth century AD, Christians all around the world have observed the All Hallows’ Triduum.
The three-day observance, which takes place from October 31 to November 2, includes All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween), All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’), and All Souls’ Day. It is a season of remembrance for martyrs and saints alike.
5. Trick or Treating Was Put On Hold During WWII
Trick or treating has been a tradition during Halloween celebrations since the early 20th century, but it actually originated as “soul cakes” on All Souls Day when poor people would visit the wealthy neighbors of their wealthy neighbors.
Trick or treating has been a component of Halloween celebrations in North America since the early 20th century, but like so many other elements of this holiday, it originated as an old European tradition. On All Saints Day, beggars would go to the homes of their wealthier neighbors and ask for a “soul cake,” a type of shortbread, in exchange for which the homeowners would swear to pray for the beggars’ deceased loved ones.
Children later adopted the “souling” activity, which involved going door to door and soliciting presents like food and cash. The custom was reintroduced by Irish and Scottish groups in the US, but sugar restrictions during World War II forced it to be suspended for a number of years.
6. Philippines: Singing Hymns For Tortured Souls
The most popular Halloween costume options are superheroes, movie characters, and cartoon animals. Prior to All Souls’ Day on November 2, people in the Philippine province of Pampanga observe Pangangaluluwà from October 29 to October 31.
Filipino children have started to adopt the “trick-or-treat” tradition, adding dressing in costume and begging for sweets to the practice. Traditionally, Filipino children would go from door to house singing hymns about the souls in Purgatory and asking for charity to pay for special masses.
7. People Wore Masks so Ghosts Couldn’t Recognise Them
The Celts used to be concerned about running into ghosts on Halloween because they thought they returned to the earth. People would put on masks when they left their homes after dark in the hopes that the ghosts would think they were other ghosts and not recognize them.
Elisa Marigold, a costumier in Sydney’s Bondi, is having a banner day for her company, Agent Costume, as hundreds of people request unique bespoke and hire costumes to wear to Halloween parties. The practice is probably becoming more well-known because so many people grew up with American TV series and films and wanted to partake in the fun.
The founder of Melbourne’s Zombie Hire, Jason Beks, believes that spooky is the only option. Jason claims that Halloween allows us to appreciate concepts of existence and survival. He stated:
“It allows people to explore an alternative personality. We give ourselves permission to transcend our humanity for one night and be otherworldly,”
8. Halloween in Hong Kong
Nowadays, pumpkins with carvings are the most common option, but the first lanterns were constructed by hollowing out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes, and beets. Hong Kong is a natural location for Halloween celebrations because of its history as a crossroads of East and West and its rich folklore full of ghosts and demons.
There are several events taking place in the city throughout the month of October, such as the Tim Burton-inspired Scream-No-More Challenge at Hong Kong Disneyland and frightening meals and décor. There are other activities taking place at various malls, tourist spots, and even a playground with a Halloween theme.
9. Jack O’ Lanterns Scare Off Evil Wandering Spirits
Another ancient custom that originated in Ireland, Scotland, and England is carving pumpkins. People would carve ominous faces into the vegetables and stick a candle inside to frighten away evil spirits that might be skulking around.
The first lanterns were created from hollowed-out turnips, rutabagas, gourds, potatoes, and beets; using pumpkins is an American twist on the tradition.
10. Halloween’s Popularity Grows in Australia and Around the World
Halloween continues to gain widespread acclaim. The holiday is now well-liked in Australia, complete with costume parties, eerie décor, and trick-or-treating for children. According to a study, 25% of Australians said they will be celebrating Halloween.
Despite its popularity, there are a few reasons why Halloween hasn’t really taken off in Australia, according to social researcher Mark McCrindle. According to Mark:
“Firstly because of its perceived American roots, secondly because of its supernatural themes, and thirdly because it involves children knocking on strangers doors and requesting treats,”
According to research by McCrindle, 64% of Australians who planned to observe the custom would give out “treats” to trick-or-treaters, while 34% planned to dress up in frightful costumes and another 34% planned to hang decorations.
Halloween parties are apparently becoming more popular in Britain, which some people regrettably feel is taking away from the centuries-old Guy Fawkes Night celebration, a night of bonfires and fireworks honoring a 1605 Catholic plan to blow up England’s Parliament and overthrow King James I.
Children create an effigy of ‘Gunpowder Plot’ conspirator Guy Fawkes and parade him through the streets while pleading with onlookers to ‘spare a coin for the Guy.’ They would roast Guy on a campfire after purchasing pyrotechnics with the money.
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