Where came the tradition of Halloween from?
Halloween has its origins in the Celtic Samhain tradition that celebrated the arrival of the dead and the end of the harvest. In this celebration they said goodbye to the Lugh (god of the sun) once they reached the autumn equinox, a period in which the days are shorter and the nights are longer.
A curiosity about it is that the day of Halloween was the last day of the Celtic calendar. They interpreted the fall of autumn leaves as death and the beginning of a new life, that is, the end of a cycle. They also believed that on this day the barriers between the world of the living and the world of the dead were broken down, and this is where the practice of disguises is supposed to have come from, so that the living could ward off evil spirits.
Back then sweets were offerings for the dead and candles would help them find their way. The name Halloween comes from "All Hallow's Eve".
The custom of Halloween came to the United States with European immigrants, especially the Irish, and from there it became popular worldwide. This popularization for the rest of the world was given through the film industry, sagas like Halloween had a fundamental role in this.
The practice of asking for food dates back to the Celts, but before it was done by poor children who went from door to door asking for food and money, in exchange they prayed for the souls of the loved ones of this person. Over the years, in addition to offering their prayers, they also began to perform pantomimes.
Around 1920 the Soul Cake began to be introduced in the traditions. These cookies have a cross in the center and were invented with the intention of warding off evil spirits and handing out the cookies to people during this period.
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