Halloween

One night a year thousands of people across different countries dress up in costumes, carve pumpkins and go trick-or-treating.  I think most people would agree that Halloween is probably is the weirdest day of the year is it not?

But how much do we really know about it? Where has it come from?

I decided to find out about and share some of the interesting Halloween history with you.

Many people think that Halloween come from America but it started in Ireland and Scotland. It originates from the festival called Samhain in honour of lord of the dead when farmers marked the end of the summer season every year on October 31st. In much of the Gaelic world this festival was marked with bonfires. Samhain was also believed to be the one day of the year when the doors of the other world opened enough for souls, harmful spirits and other beings such as fairies to enter our world. The spirits were said to revisit their homes and it was traditional for feasts to be left out in order to not upset them. The tradition of wearing costumes came about because people wanted to disguise themselves from all the evil spirits to ensure they didn’t get harmed. Another way to protect their homes was to carve out the scary pumpkins and display them in their windows to ensure the evil spirits stayed well clear.

The custom of trick-or-treating comes from Irish farmers who went begging for food from house to house and they promised good luck to those who gave them goods and threatened those who refused them shouting ‘’Treat me or I’ll trick you!’’

Nowadays Halloween is more fun rather than frightening and supernatural. It is the one day of the year where it is perfectly acceptable for adults and kids alike to dress up in fancy dress costumes, embrace their fears, eat lots of sweets and have fun! So get your masks on and go out and enjoy yourselves!