When you think of Halloween you probably think of candy, trick or treating, costumes, or scary movies. The Halloween backstory actually dates back to thousands of years ago. It was the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced “sow-win”). This was a festival that marked the end of the harvest, where people believed they could talk with the dead easier on that day. People also believed that if they lit bonfires they could ward off evil spirits.
The Celts held ceremonies where they built bonfires and sacrificed animals and crops for their rulers, the villagers would attend the ceremony wearing animal heads and skins. A lot of people think that is where Halloween costumes originated. Now we are at the part where these ceremonies become festivals. 43 A.D. was when the Romans took over Celtic territory. They brought all their festivals with them, including, a celebration in October called Feralia. This celebration also respected the passing of the dead.
A few centuries later, multiple Christian popes were trying to change old Roman holidays with their own religious holidays. Back in 1,000 A.D. All Souls’ Day, November 2, was when the living prayed for the souls of the dead. On November 1, All Saints’ Day or All Hallows, were holidays for honoring saints. Which made October 31 All Hallows Eve, which would later become Halloween.
You may have wondered how the idea of trick or treating could have started? People in Old England and Ireland thought of end of October as the time of year where the dead souls would wander among them so they would set out gifts and food outside of their houses to satisfy hungry spirits. But then a few locals started dressing up in creepy outfits and would beg for food and candy from their neighbors.
FUN FACTS:
- Candy corns were originally called “chicken feed”
- The fastest pumpkin carving time stands at 16.47 seconds!
- The most popular Halloween costumes are princesses and superheros
- The top 3 Halloween candy in Kansas: 1. M&Ms 2.Sour Patch Kids 3. Reese’s Cups
- Some shelters would ban adoptions for black cats on Halloween
