Is Halloween celebrated in other countries besides?

Question

the U.S.? If so, is it celebrated in the same way - with trick-or-treating and costumes?

Answer 1

For thousands of years people have been celebrating different holidays and festivals at the end of October. The Celts celebrated it as Samhain (pronounced "sow-in", with "sow" rhyming with cow). The Irish English dictionary published by the Irish Texts Society defines the word as follows:

"Samhain, All Hallowtide, the feast of the dead in Pagan and Christian times, signalizing the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season, lasting till May, during which troops (esp. the Fiann) were quartered. Faeries were imagined as particularly active at this season. From it the half year is reckoned. also called Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess).(1) The Scottish Gaelis Dictionary defines it as "Hallowtide. The Feast of All Soula. Sam + Fuin = end of summer."(2) Contrary to the information published by many organizations, there is no archaeological or literary evidence to indicate that Samhain was a deity. The Celtic Gods of the dead were Gwynn ap Nudd for the British, and Arawn for the Welsh. The Irish did not have a "lord of death" as such.

The information on Samhain is from Rowan Moonstone's The Origins of Halloween.

The Celts believed that every year on the last day of October, the souls of the dead visited the earth.

When the Romans conquered the Celts in the first century A.D., they added parts of their festivals, Feralia and Pomona to the tradition. Feralia was a festival to honor the dead and Pomona was a harvest festival named after the goddess of fruit (apples) and trees.

Around the eigth century, the Christian church made November 1 All Saints' Day to honor all of the saints that didn't have a special day of their own. Over the years these festivals combined, the mass held on All Saints' Day was called Allhallowmas (the mass of all Hallows - saintly people). The night before was known as All Hallows Eve. Eventually this name became Halloween.

In the 1800s, as a lot of people emigrated to the U.S., the holidays and traditions of different cultures merged. Halloween was not always a happy time. October 31, or the night before took on other names. Some called it Devil's or Hell night, to others it was mischief night. Here in Vermont, the night before is called cabbage night. To some people this became a time to play tricks on others. Some of these tricks were not fun at all. Luckily, community groups and individuals took action and started to change Halloween into a family event. Dressing up in costumes and going "trick or treating", costume parades, community parties and Fall festivals are some of the ways that Halloween is celebrated today.

Other countries have different Fall festivals to honor the deceased.

The Festival of the Dead is one of the most important happenings in both Palermo and the rest of Sicily. The second of November is a festival day for the children of Palermo as, according to tradition,they were made to believe that their dead relatives would return the night before and leave them traditional sweets and cakes on the table (Martorana fruit, which is almond paste made into the shape of different fruit). They would also receive puppets of boiled sugar and toys. It's one way of keeping the memory of their dead relatives and loved ones alive. (from the neomedia Web site)

In Mexico they celebrate El Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead.

Although celebrated in all Catholic countries as All Saints' and All Souls' Days, surely no other peoples have embraced the festival of The Day of the Dead to the extent that the Mexicans have. The celebration begins on the evening of October 31, so the name Los Dias de los Muertos is also often used. This festival is considered by many to be the most important holiday of the year in Mexico.

Answer 2

It is celebrated in the uk, always kids out trick or treating - every five minutes there's a knock at the door. Last year a few of the younger ones looked really good in their costumes, parents must have put a lot of work in.

Also we have scary movies on tv and ghost stories read on the radio on halloween.

Answer 3

I've been told by a British net friend, that it is being observed
by children in the UK. But they don't necessarily go door to
door for hand outs. They go as families to the nearby neigh-
borhood pubs which welcome children with their parents. The
children dress in costume and get treats and prizes from the
pub owner. The families generally have dinner there and then
go home early. Or so my friend has reported every year. He
told me Halloween originated there and tho they never
observed it, it's still well known. Those who first came to
what was America brought their holidays with them. This
was one. And dates back to the 1400's I believe I was told.
Maybe it's worth googling about for more info.

Answer 4

I don't know if it is celebrated, but people in other countries enjoy the fun of wearing costumes (the purpose of which originally was meant to hide from the souls of the dead who are supposedly roaming the earth that particular night).

I quit enjoying Halloween when poison or other harmful objects were placed in the candy.

Answer 5

In Ireland we dress up and go trick or treating too. Hallowe'en originated in Ireland and the surrounding British Isles so it was always a big thing here.
We have a special fruit bread that's baked /bought for hallowe'en called Bairin Breac. Baked into the breac is a golden ring, a coin, and a rag amongst other things. If you get the ring it means you'll be the next to be married, the coin is for prosperity and the rag is for poverty. It's always good fun to see who'l get what.

Answer 6

Hmm I dont know. I don't really know a lot about other countries holidays. It's really interesting learning about what other countries observe. Good question!

Answer 7

I used to trick or treat as a kid, (in Australia), but it's nothing like the celebration you have in the US.

It's usually just a kiddie thing.

Answer 8

We dont really celebrate it in Australia. It depends what family you come from and if that family celebrates it or not. We dont go trick-or-treating we just dress up.

Answer 9

I just asked a friend in the Philippines about that. She said they mostly just get together and have some fun. It's not really a big deal.