Who Exactly Initiated Halloween And What Was The Reason Of This Festivity?

Around 2,000 years ago, people identified as Celts resided in northern Europe in areas that at present are comprised of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Northern France. These people observed their new year each November 1. This date marked the conclusion of summer harvest and start of the very long, cold winter months. Human deaths were definitely associated with the winters. The Celts considered the night prior to the new year was marked with a blur between life and death. So that night, October 31, was a special occasion known as Samhain. The belief was that spirits of the deceased came back to earth causing trouble and causing damage to crops. The Celtic priests commonly called Druids could use these returning ghosts to create future prophecies which were used for guidance and consolation through the winter months.

The Druids would set up enormous bonfires and the people would sacrifice portions of their crops and livestock to the Celtic deities. This specific tradition also included people dressed in costumes of animal heads and skins while they aimed to tell one an others fortunes.

As soon as the Romans conquered the area in 43 AD, they combined two Roman events with Samhain. Feralia occurred in late October and it observed the passing of the deceased and Pomona was celebrated for the goddess associated with fruit and trees. It is considered that apple bobbing was part of this event.

Christianity came into this region in 800. Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 to be All Saints Day in order to pay tribute to saints and martyrs. It was a church authorized holiday and was also called All-hallowmas. The evening before was named All-hallows Eve. In 1000 AD November 2 became All Souls Day to honor the departed by the church. Festivities had huge bonfires, parades and outfits of angels, devils and saints. All three celebrations were now known as the Eve of All Saints, All Saints and All Souls and they turned out to be Hallowmas.

Halloween in America

When the Europeans immigrated to America, their practices and values came along. The southern colonies together with Maryland began a community celebration celebrating the harvest and neighbors would delight in telling accounts of the dead, telling fortunes, singing and dancing. In mid 1800 these autumn celebrations were commonplace but they weren't observed in all places.

In the latter part of 1800, a lot of Irish immigrated to America bringing the Irish and English tradition of Halloween. Costumes were worn and the practice of going house to house seeking food items and money started the tradition of trick-or-treat.

At the turn of the century, Halloween became a day of celebrations for both young and old centering on games, foodstuff and Halloween costumes. Nowadays this tradition of a Halloween party continues and it is thought that $6.9 billion is spent on the Halloween USA holiday per year.

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