31st October ??

What is Halloween?

What is Halloween?

Questions about Halloween When did it begin? Where did it begin? Why do people dress up? Why do people carve pumpkins? Why do children ask for treats? Should children go ‘trick or treating’?

When? Halloween began two thousand years ago in Ireland, England, and Northern France with the ancient religion of the Celts (Paganism).

Who? Pagans - Celebrated New Year on November 1st. This day marked the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.

Samhain (sow-in) On the night of October 31st, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

Beliefs Pagans thought that they would bump into ghosts if they left their homes…

So they wore costumes. This way, the ghosts couldn’t recognize them!

What Changed? When did it change? Christianity began to spread into Celtic lands. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs, to replace the Pagan festival of Samhain.

A change of date October 31st then became All Hallows' Eve ('hallow' means 'saint').

All Souls Day November 2nd, called All Souls Day, is the day set apart in the Roman Catholic Church for the commemoration of the dead.

So why ‘Trick or Treat’? During the All Souls Day festival in England, poor people would beg for “soul cakes,” made out of square pieces of bread with currants Families would give soul cakes in return for a promise to pray for the family’s relatives

then children… The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.

The Jack-O-Lantern The children used to carry turnips with candles in them to light their way at night and to scare away ghosts, but this eventually changed to pumpkins

Now: Children still go from house-to-house, but instead of ale, food, and money, they get sweet treats.

People have recently started carving less traditional pumpkins

Today people go to parties…

Is it ok to go ‘trick or treating’? Children go to other peoples houses, ask for sweets and if they are refused, do something mean to the people or their property.

Problems?

Our ‘Trick or Treat’ Rules Get permission from parents first Go to houses of people you know or houses that have been decorated for Halloween Think carefully about any ‘tricks’ you might do and who you do them to