Halloween or Hallowe’en (a contraction of “All Hallows’ evening”), less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed. Halloween is regularly celebrated every year in Court Street Houses at Ohio University.
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Originally, one theory holds that many Halloween traditions influenced by Celtic harvest festivals. Particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, believed to have pagan roots. Some go further and suggest that Samhain Christianized as All Hallow’s Day, along with its eve, by the early Church. Other academics believe Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallow’s Day. Celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, Irish and Scottish immigrants took many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century v and then through American influence Halloween had spread to other countries by the late 20th and early 21st century.
Halloweenie
Popular Halloween activities include trick-or-treating (or the related guising and souling), attending Halloween costume parties, carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns. Lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, divination games, playing pranks, visiting haunted attractions, telling scary stories, and watching horror or Halloween-themed films. Some people practice the Christian religious observances of All Hallows’ Eve. Including attending church services and lighting candles on the graves of the dead, although it is a secular celebration for others. Some Christians historically abstained from meat on All Hallows’ Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain vegetarian foods on this vigil day, including apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakes.
Historians write that Anglican and Catholic colonists “recognized All Hallow’s Eve in their church calendars”. Although the Puritans of New England strongly opposed the holiday. This, along with other traditional celebrations of the established Church, including Christmas. Almanacs of the late 18th and early 19th century also give no indication that Halloween was widely celebrated in North America.
Tradition
Not until after mass Irish and Scottish immigration in the 19th century that Halloween became a major holiday in America. Most American Halloween traditions inherited from the Irish and Scots. Though “In Cajun areas, a nocturnal Mass said in cemeteries on Halloween night. Candles blessed and placed on graves, and families sometimes spent the entire night at the graveside”. Originally confined to these immigrant communities, it gradually assimilated into mainstream society. Celebrated coast to coast by people of all social, racial, and religious backgrounds by the early 20th century.
Then, through American influence, these Halloween traditions spread to many other countries. By the late 20th and early 21st century, including into to mainland Europe. Lastly, you can decorate and enjoy Halloween in your Court Street Houses.
