“Halloween” in different cultures
By Caleb Ruel, Wisteria Magazine
Halloween is a celebration occurring globally on October 31st and extending to November 1st. Originally a tradition where people would dress up to scare ghosts away, then becoming a day All Hallow’s Eve to celebrate all saints, Halloween has dug its way into our cultures and is now part of our everyday life - whether we like it or not.
Mexico and Dia de los Muertos
Celebrated annually, Dia de los Muertos (day of the dead) is set between November 1st and 2nd and represents, in opposition to what we believe in as Americans, a more cheerful or happy day to be around family and remember the dead. It is strongly believed that the gates of heaven open during this period of time and the souls of dead family members return to join the family in the festivities, which explains why most people decide to make small altars in their home with food, flowers and pictures of their loved ones, who passed away. This tradition is now still perpetuated to this day in modern society.
Ireland/Scotland and Samhain
As mentioned before, Samhain is considered as the original tradition of halloween; and so Ireland is considered the birthplace of modern Halloween. In ancient cultures, it was celebrated with big bonfires, lots of games and traditional foods. People would believe that a gate would open between the world of the dead and the world of the living. Another way of observing this tradition was by putting different objects in fruitcakes such as coins, buttons and rings. Rings signifying marriage in the upcoming year, coin meaning wealth coming in the future and many more.
The Philippines and Pangangaluluwa
This tradition being very significant to most Philippines towns, the Pangangaluluwa (meaning soul, spirit) is slowly making a comeback as people are slowly trying to bring it to life. In some places, it simply has never disappeared. Mostly celebrated in the past, children would go door to door and ask for prayers for those who are stuck in purgatory. In some places, kids may be going door to door to sing in exchange for candies.
Haiti and Fete Gede
Fed Gede is a Holiday celebrated all around the world in some voodoo communities. People go down the streets, dance with ancestors and walk towards the cemeteries where they give food to the dead, so they can ensure their protection for the upcoming year and party in peristyles (churches) all over the country. There are many different ways to perpetuate this tradition, one being a feast celebrating the spirits of death and fertility, deriving more from African traditions
Japan and Obon
Obon, which takes place in Japan, is a buddhist festival that lasts about three days (dates vary between mid-july to mid-september) and is centered honouring the spirits of the locals' ancestors. The tradition started in China, where it is called Ghost Festival and moved to Japan within time. To celebrate, a lot of businesses close during these three days and dance festivals are taking place.
