Halloween around the world

Monsters, ghosts, costumes and candy—these are all the rage in the United States every year on October 31. However, as is traditional for America, it is one of few countries which celebrate this holiday in such an organized manner. Many countries take up different traditions than we—traditions that mean more to their lives than those which we partake in.  As such, a non-exhaustive list of nations and their celebrated and solemn Halloween festivities are in order:

All SAINTS’ AND SOULS’ DAY

Although not celebrated on October 31, Zaduski is a solemn celebration takes place on November 2 in Poland. According to the polamjournal.com, it is believed that on this day, the souls of the deceased return to their homes to join their families. The living families each light on a candle while the sun is less then six degrees above the horizon; as the souls follow the lights back to their families, they join their loved ones for a dinner. After supper, the families wrap up the leftovers of their meals and head to the cemetery with more candles. There, in the cemetery, the families give beggars the food; in return, the beggars send a message to the dead. The families then head back home to discuss the day.

PITRU PAKSHA

In India, a sixteen-day holiday known as Pitru Paksha is celebrated. The purpose for this holiday is that the Hindus honor their ancestors or any human that touched their lives. One main component of the celebration—Pinandan—consists of an offering of pinda (rice balls) to the deceased. The holiday is accompanied by a series of traditional prohibitions, including not eating meat, hurting animals, or shaving; additionally, it is intolerable to purchase new jewelry or other items unnecessary for basic survival.

 

SAMHAIN

The Irish celebrate the beginning of winter with a holiday known as Samhain. In the capital city of Dublin, a parade is held, which travels down the municipality’s busy O’Connell Street and finishes in the Temple Bar neighborhood. During the parade, the streets are filled with anything that is ghostly and ghoulish. 2,000 years ago, Samhain was the division between summer and winter. While the two seasons were being divided, this also would be the division of the other world and ours. It was believed that the air is the thinnest on this day, hence allowing spirits to cross over to us. As the good spirits were honored by returning home for a meal, the evil spirits were warded away. The people of Ireland would put on costumes and masks to avoid being seen and partake in festivities, which including throwing the bones of dead livestock into a public bonfire. The Great Fire Festival took place at Tlachtga—one of the two hills near Dublin associated with Samhain (from: www.newgrange.com).

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

Día de los Muertos is the Mexican counterpart of Halloween, celebrated to honor Mexicans’ love ones who have passed away. According to www.nbcnews.com, on October 31 at midnight, it is believed that all the deceased children are reunited with their families. On November 2, the souls of the adults get their chance to visit their loved ones.  The living make colorful ofrendas and give their dead family members food, wine, and other gifts. They celebrate by having picnics and playing music at the graveyard; this traditionally is said to make the spirits believe that they are still alive.

The traditions that these countries honor and celebrate are each undoubtedly unique in their own ways; the meanings behind these holidays can and do connect entire families like no other events can. Halloween is a week away for the United States. Whether one is getting costumes for the celebration or giving away candy on the night of the celebration, it is important to thank and remember their loved ones in the vein of the people from these other nations.