Comments on: Happy Halloween

By: Greenshoot

Greenshoot — Thu, 13 May 2010 22:18:16 +0000

Your history of “Celtic” Halloween (Samhain) is entirely modern neo-pagan invention. There is no historical evidence that the pre-Christian Celts held any sort of festival of the dead, nor that they held a religious festival on November 1st.

The Pope designated November 1st as All Saints Day in the 9th century, centuries after Ireland had become Christian. The Irish, who had already established their own All Saints celebration in April actually moved their’s to November 1st to match the Roman custom.

All Saints Day and Hallowe’en actually owe their existence to Roman Catholicism and that’s it.

Ref: “The Stations of the Sun” by Ronald Hutton, Professor of History, Bristol University, England.

By: Mark H

Mark H — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:31:23 +0000

Interesting history. Still have never had a kid come around hunting for treats in Australia though i believe that it is slowly infiltrating our fair shores.

By: Dutchie

Dutchie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:44:13 +0000

hey nomadicmatt,

any trick or treat sing-alongs to share ?

By: Dutchie

Dutchie — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:32:22 +0000

Peter,

I live in North Holland n St Maarten is celebrated on Nov 11 – the tune “elf november is de dag, dat mijn kaarsjes branden mag” says it all – with the kids singing door to door with their pretty lanterns n being rewarded with sweets.

By: NewWrldYankee

NewWrldYankee — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:20:25 +0000

I missed out on Halloween this year, though the fam did send a boatload of plain M&Ms to me. You know what I miss, the spurt of Halloween themed movies that always come on this time of year. We do have a Halloween party every year here. Fantastic!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:30:03 +0000

@angela: I didn’t have one..

@wandermom: we have the genesis. I just explain the history a bit more.

@peter: It definetly is not as big in Europe as it is in the US but I think the UK has some stuff. I think Halloween in Europe is more about adults having fun than kids. At least that was the impression I got when I was there last year.

@everyone else: Happy halloween! Hope you had a good one!

By: Trotter

Trotter — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:10:05 +0000

Hi Matt! I’m not so keen on Halloween, and must confess that though living in Europe only heard of it when visiting the States; now it’s becoming different… )
Great shot of Schönbrunn Palace taken from the Gloriette!
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is now strolling somewhere around the Holy See of Echmiadzin. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!

By: Cuckoo

Cuckoo — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:16:48 +0000

Happy Halloween !
This is a festival with a different flavor, I have enjoyed it when I was in Europe.

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:59:41 +0000

Not a big deal in Australia usually. For the first time ever I actually had some kids come trick or treating. Had nothing to give them. Didn’t even realise it was Halloween till I saw little witches walking around. We moved to a new suburb this year though and I’m guessing the local primary school promotes it heavily or something.

Kirsty, I can’t think of any Dutch traditions that involve kids going door to door (I’m part Dutch). Maybe there’s some regional ones that I’m unaware of though. Sinterklaas is the BIG deal in Holland, but the tradition there is for Sinterklaas and his “Zwarte Pieten” to come by your house. I understand that the Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters) have started to come in other colours, because it was not exactly politically correct.

Matt, I’m not sure where in Europe it has caught on at all to be honest.. is there any specific countries where it is even close to as big as it is in the US?

By: wandermom

wandermom — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:27:47 +0000

Interesting. Your description of the genesis of Halloween (the word, at least) is different to mine. Wonder which of us is right ?