Halloween Traditions Halloween or Halloween is on 31

Halloween Traditions Halloween (or Hallowe’en) is on 31 st October. There are lots of Halloween traditions: • Scary costumes • Jack-o’-lanterns • Trick-or-treating • Apple bobbing • Telling ghost stories Not everyone agrees that Halloween should be celebrated. Some religious people think that it celebrates evil spirits and witchcraft.

The History of Halloween first began as the festival of Samhain. This was part of the ancient Celtic religion in Britain and other parts of Europe. The Celts thought that the barrier between our world and the world of ghosts and spirits got really thin at the end of summer which meant strange creatures with spooky powers could wander around the Earth. The Celts had a huge party to scare away the ghosts and spirits. Later, the day became known as ‘All Hallows’ Eve’ by Christians as it fell the day before All Saint’s Day on 1 st November. This was later shortened to Hallowe’en or Halloween.

Scary Costumes Scary Halloween costumes are worn on or around Halloween costumes date back to 1585! People in Scotland wore costumes in the festival of Samhain. The costumes were thought to frighten away supernatural or evil beings. By the 1930 s, costumes were based on characters in the media like they are today. Halloween costumes are traditionally worn by children but are now worn by lots of adults too.

Jack-o-lanterns Carved pumpkins are called Jack-o-lanterns. They are kept outside homes on the night of Halloween as they are supposed to scare away evil spirits. Jack-o-lanterns were originally carved out of turnips in Ireland. Later, lots of Irish people went to live in America. They wanted to make lanterns but couldn’t find enough turnips so carved pumpkins instead.

Trick or Treating Trick or treating is also known as ‘guising’. Children dress up in costumes and travel from house to house asking “trick or treat” for treats such as chocolate, sweets or money. Some houses are covered with decorations to make the experience really exciting. The tradition of going from door to door already existed in the UK and Ireland in the form of ‘souling’ where children and poor people would sing and say prayers for the dead in return for cakes. The question “trick or treat? ” originated in America.

Apple Bobbing ‘Apple bobbing’ is a game often played on Halloween. The game is played by filling a large container with water and putting apples in the water. Because apples are less dense than water, they float on the surface. Players then try to catch an apple using only their teeth. Using their hands to help them is cheating. Other names for apple bobbing are ‘dooking’, ‘apple ducking’ and ‘duck-apple’. ‘Snap apple’ is similar to bobbing except the apples are hung from the ceiling by strings.

Halloween Quiz 1. When is Halloween? 2. Which festival did Halloween originate from? 3. Why were Halloween costumes originally worn? 4. Jack-o-lanterns were originally made from 5. Trick-or-treating is also known as . . 6. What are some other names for apple bobbing?

The End