Halloween and Bonfire Night WC – 30th October 2017

Do you think some people still hold these beliefs? Why / Why not? HALLOWEEN Halloween began two thousand years ago in Ireland, England, and Northern France with the ancient religion of the Celts (Paganism). This day marked the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. People thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their home… So they wore costumes. This way, the ghosts couldn’t recognize them! As the influence of Christianity 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. Do you think some people still hold these beliefs? Why / Why not?

Trick-or-treat and the Pumpkin 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 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 drinks, food, and money. In 1848, millions of Irish emigrants poured into America as a result of the potato famine. They brought with them their traditions of Halloween. The Irish used to carry turnips with candles in them to light their way at night and to scare away ghosts. When they arrived in America they found that pumpkins were both plentiful and easier to carve than turnips. Do you know of any other cultures that have similar celebrations around the world? i.e. Lights/Candles, Respect for the dead Take the Halloween quiz here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/quizzes/nr-halloween-quiz

Go to this site to view safety information for Bonfire Night: On November 5 people across the UK celebrate Bonfire Night. The reason we do it is because it's the anniversary of an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament led by a man called Guy Fawkes. It's called the Gunpowder Plot, and bonfires are lit to burn the "Guy" - a kind of dummy that represents Fawkes. Guy (Guido) Fawkes led the Gunpowder plot in 1605. It was a plan to blow up King James I and his government.Fawkes and his group put 36 barrels of gunpowder in cellars under the Houses of Parliament in London, ready to set off a massive explosion. One member of the group sent a letter to his friend who worked in Parliament, warning him to stay away on November 5. Guards broke into the cellars where the gunpowder plotters were waiting. They were arrested, tortured and executed. Go to this site to view safety information for Bonfire Night: http://bonfire-night-safety.co.uk