The elaborate costumes, haunted houses, and pantries stocked with goodies for trick-or-treaters are anticipated all year by millions. The origin of Halloween can be traced back to as far as 2,000 years ago, with the United States now being the modern ringleader of this holiday. But have you ever thought about where this celebration came from? Historians widely believe that it began with the pagan celebration of Samhain.
Original Celebration
Samhain (pronounced sah-ween) was an ancient celtic holiday celebrated through the night of Oct. 31, started by the natives of Ireland. It was a festival to appreciate the harvest of the months previous, honor the dead, and welcome the darker, colder days of winter (Boston Public Library). Hearth fires in homes would be put out, and in place bonfires would be lit throughout the community, staying lit all night long. During Samhain, the most prevalent festivities included bonfires, dancing, feasting and dressing in costumes! Some historians conclude that Samhain was also a time of sacrificing people and animals to please the gods and grant safety in the winter. At the end of the festival, people would return home, pieces of wood and embers of the communal fires in hand, to relight their hearth. This act was believed to not only ward off harm during the winter months, but honor the dead as well.
The Celtics of ancient Europe believed that this day was when the wall between the living and spirit world was at its weakest. During the night of Samhain, the worlds were thought to be connected and spirits were able to return to Earth, and vice versa. According to an article by the BBC, there is a cave in Ireland that was heavily regarded during this time as a gateway to hell. Villagers believed that evil entities from this cave would surface, and drag stragglers into their realm.
Dr Curley shared with the BBC that from this cave “[monsters] and manifestations would emerge, led by the goddess Morríghan, to create a world ready for winter, including birds with foul breath that would strip leaves from trees.”
This fear of being taken to the land of the dead led to another custom of this ancient celebration: wearing costumes. The Celts hoped that their animal hide capes, masks of skulls, and faces painted with bonfire ashes would either blend in with, or ward off spirits. Costumes were also worn for the tradition of guising, which is still a time honored tradition in Ireland where children go door to door asking for food and other offerings. Over time, Samhain and its customs spread to parts of the United Kingdom and France as well.
Adopted by the U.S.
From the years of 1845-1852, Ireland experienced a famine due to potato fields throughout the country being infested with disease. Ireland was extremely reliant on this crop, and the absence of a primary food source led to a mass immigration to the United States. The U.S population majority was Christian, while the incoming Irish and other European immigrants primarily followed the teachings of a group of priests called the Druids. This group encouraged the celebrations of pagan holidays, as it was their role as religious leaders. According to the Clan Campbell Society of Scotland, the beliefs of the Irish were not welcomed in the U.S.
But instead of Catholic religious leaders in the U.S obliterating these celebrations, they found Christian parallels in Druid beliefs. Evil spirits and gods were associated with the devil, and many pagan holidays were celebrated the same days as Christian ones. The Christian monastery’s goal was simply to diminish the prevalence of pagan beliefs, including the celebration of Samhain. They attempted to replace it with the Catholic feast on Nov. 1, known as All Saint’s Day, but the tradition of Samhain ran too deep in Irish history.
The traditional Samhain is still celebrated in Ireland and other parts of Europe, but is also followed by all who believe it to be a spiritual day.
Modern Celebration
The mixing of Celtic and Christian holidays was not the only thing responsible for shaping modern Halloween. The influence and popularity of Hollywood (and candy companies) played a major role in the modern culture of this holiday. The “slasher” genre began with Hollywood’s first ever Halloween movie, ironically, it was the 1978 film “Halloween” directed by John Carpenter. The film started a trend of future slasher films, including the infamous “Nightmare on Elm Street” and the 90’s classic “Scream.” In the months of fall, these films are a staple for many people, and provide endless inspiration for costumes. Leading up to Halloween, spooky decorations are put up, pumpkins are carved, and costumes are purchased for the much anticipated night of Oct. 31.
I asked the students and staff of Helix High School how they’re celebrating Halloween this year, to see specific examples of modern celebrations:
“My block has a party and I’m dressing as a pilot from Top Gun” Caleb, grade 12.
“I’m just going to spend Halloween with my friends, and I’m being a mime” Kylie, grade 11.
“I haven’t decided on a costume, but I have a 9-year-old so I’m going trick or treating” Ms. Woodland, teacher.
“All the English department dresses as characters, so I’m being Rodrick from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and there’s a party on our block because it’s a Friday night” Ms. Jendian, teacher.
Halloween is a time of fun and scares with friends and family. Although, when the night of Halloween comes, and you step outside in the crisp spooky air, consider the possibility of what else could be walking in the night among you; I sure know the Irish did.