Hey fans. Just been listening to the BBC World Service and heard a cracking fact. Apparently, Halloween was originally a continental European tradition, descending from lower Germany. The tradition was 'exported' to America, where it became huge and was 're-exported' to the rest of Europe, such as Britain, who had never followed it.
So, i guess the question is, why did it become so damn popular in the States, and so Comercialised, when it was always seen as a traditional Religious night in the Old World?
2006-11-01 00:52:18 · 6 answers · asked by thomas p 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Halloween
They got their "facts" wrong. Halloween originated in what is considered to be the UK today by the Ancient Celts. Not Germany.
2006-11-01 00:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Halloween started off as "All Hallows Eve." This was the day before all Saint's Day (11/1). In earlier times, this was when people dressed up as their favorite saint. All Saint's Day is also linked to All Soul's Day on November 2nd.
I believe as Religion began to lose its standing in culture. Dressing up as saints began to be passe. However, people still wanted to dress up, so people began dressing up as their favorite characters, or mythological characters.
Hope that helps.
God Bless,
Vic
2006-11-01 01:00:23 · answer #2 · answered by Vic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Halloween is mainly British, a lot from Ireland, and it is traditional and religious, its hallowe'en (all hallows eve) then all saints day(day of the dead) where they return to there old home or relatives, then all souls day, where you remember those who have passed.
2006-11-01 01:25:58 · answer #3 · answered by Aaron 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think it's from europe but maybe B.B.C is trying to say that a festival similiar to it must be celebrated there coz when i read an article in the magazine it said that USA is a young country......this festival is originated there and those carving of jack-o-lanterns and remembering the dead loved ones has originated from here but who knows who is right........
2006-11-01 01:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by professor smart 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I guess the same reason Christmas has gotten so commercialized as well..
hmmm I heard it came from Scotland...well if the kiddies have fun then so be it! =)
2006-11-01 01:18:08 · answer #5 · answered by legendary~cool 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most mystic and religious things came before america, USA is pretty young country.
2006-11-01 00:54:42 · answer #6 · answered by Spadesboffin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋