|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The origins of Halloween date back thousands of years. The modern holiday has been influenced by many cultures over the centuries, from the Romans' Pomona Day, to the Celtic festival of Samhain, and the Christian holidays of All Saints' and All Souls' Days.
For the Celts, the New Year began on November 1, when the season of sun ended and the season of darkness began. In centuries past nearly all work, particularly agriculture, depended on the sun. Survival for the sun-worshipping Celts depended on good relations with the sun and all things in nature.
The New Year began with new sacred fires, blessed by Druid priests during all-night ceremonies. Druid priests, the spiritual leaders of the Celts, would dance around newly-lit fires throughout the night in the oak forests of France and England, and bless the fires with animal sacrifices and prayers. As the harvest ended on October 31, old fires were extinguished in Celtic villages and new fires lit with embers from the Druids' new fires, which were believed to keep away evil spirits during the dark winter.
Celtic people paraded in animal skins and honed headdresses to start the New Year with a three-day festival called Samhain.
Samhain was influenced by Roman customs beginning in the first century, when the Romans first ruled the Celts in northern Europe. Pomona Day, named for the goddess who blessed the Romans' gardens was also celebrated during Samhain. The two traditions merged during the centuries of Roman rule.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, pagan practices like Samhain were banned. In 835, the Roman Catholic Church declared November 1 All Saints' Day, which was known as All Hallows or Hallowmas.
November 2 was eventually declared All Souls' Day to honor the dead. Like Samhain, people celebrated with parades and bonfires, but they dressed as saints and devils.
Christianity did not completely vanquish the pagan traditions. October 31 was observed by northern European Celts on the eve of All Saints' Day, as it became known as All Hallow Even, All Hallow's Eve, Hallowe'en, and finally, Halloween.
Candied apples, as well as fall banquets of harvested grains and nuts, are symbols of the Romans' Pomona Day. And superstitions, evil spirits and images of darkness are descended from the Celts' Samhain Festival. Jack o' Lanterns are passed on from Irish immigrant traditions to popular American culture, as human-like faces on rutabagas and potatoes were carved to repel haunted souls - witches, ghosts, and skeletons - that roamed the earth.
You will likely see them all, along with children's favorite Hollywood characters, music celebrities and heroes, on your doorstep this Halloween.
-- Mark D. Lacy
Learn about the Mexican tradition Day of the Dead.
Learn more about Jack o' Lanterns.
CULTURAL CROSSROADS | HOUSTON INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE | info@houstonculture.org
