Halloween from all around the world

It is October, the month of scary movies, pumpkin picking and carving, and we have approached the day of Samhain. The leaves of red, yellow and orange once again decorate our trees and pavements, and the golden sun does not stroke our cheeks as warmly and heavenly anymore. It is getting colder, we feel it in the bitter breeze.

Indeed, you the lovers of the cold are in heaven. But what about those, who either love the summer or love the snowy mountains and the sound of snow scrunching against feet? Perhaps Halloween was invented for just those people, so they can have something to look forward to. So they do not have to be reminded that summer is over and although winter is knocking on the door, it is not yet allowed to enter our world.

But returning to the celebration of Halloween. Have you ever wondered where it came from and what other Halloween-like traditions decorate our world?

---

Samhain

Originating from ancient Celtic and Pagan rituals of Gaelic Ireland, it is the birthplace of modern Halloween. During the Samain or Samuin ritualistic celebrations, it has been believed that many pagan gods, faeries and other spirits could come into the mortal world. Even the spirits of their kin were believed to visit them in their homes when all were sleeping after the celebrations. The Irish Gaelic lit up bonfires to cleanse the energies, cattle were brought down from the summer pastures, livestock slaughtered to have plenty to offer to the gods and spirits to guarantee them and their cattle a safe winter. Then when the celebrations were over, they would leave food on the table so their dead kin could have a feast.

In the late 19th century, John Rhys and James Frazer suggested it was the Celtic New Year. Perhaps, they were right.

Sviatok všetkých svätých or Dušičky

The most important holiday of the autumn's Slovakia, equivalent to all Saint's day, this holiday is celebrated in Slovakia and other Slavic countries on 1st and 2nd November. In Slovakia, respect towards the deceased has a very strong tradition and its roots can be traced to the pagan Slavic times.

The people of Slovakia have these 2 days to visit the graves and decorate them with flower wreaths and burning candles. The cemeteries become a heart-warming spectacle, the lit candles brighter than the moon upon sundown.

Indeed, me being from Slovakia, this is all I remember. My mum used to tell me how happy the spirits are today seeing all the lights from heaven. I still, until this day, believe they were truly happy.

Día de Los Muertos

Celebrated in Mexico and some other parts of Latin America on 1st and 2nd November to honour those who have passed away. Although it may seem equivalent to all saints day, Día de los Muertos (Day of the dead) is a joyful celebration rather than mourning. On these 2 days, the whole culture unites, paying respect to the dead by decorating and tidying the graves, paying respect with Calaveras (colourful usually edible skulls) and orange, marigold flowers, and building home altars with the photos of the deceased and the favourite food and beverages of the deceased.

It is believed that the Gates of Heaven open up at midnight on October 31 and the souls of children return to Earth to be reunited with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the souls of adults come down from heaven to join in the festivities.

In 2008, the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Pitru Paksha

During the 16 lunar days of the Hindu calendar of Bhadrapada (September), the Hindus pay respect to the deceased usually through food offerings. In the Hindu religion, it is believed that when a person dies, Yama—the Hindu god of death—takes his or her soul to purgatory, where they'll find the last three generations of a family. During the Pitru Paksha, the souls are briefly allowed to return to Earth and be with their families.

Kukeri

Probably the best costume party in Europe and perhaps even the world, the Kukeri is a century-old Thracian (Balto-Slavic) pagan tradition that takes place across Bulgaria over the last weekend of January. The origin is unclear as with many traditions of the Slavs, however, this tradition is one of the few which survived the Christianisation, Ottomans as well as communism.

On People from villages and towns across the country come together for the largest celebration, which is held in a Pernik town square, just outside the capital city Sofia, to parade their monster costumes. Each village has a distinct monster costume style, but all are intended to chase evil spirits away. The costumes include masks, hair, bells, and wooden structures that truly are impressive. The parades go last for two whole days to ensure every group of monsters has their chance to scare away the bad spirits.

The Hungry Ghost Festival

On the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which is around mid-August to mid-September, the people of Hong Kong celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival. In several parts of East Asia, people believe that spirits get restless around this time of the year and begin to roam the world. The festival is a way to feed these roaming spirits, both the food and money they need for the afterlife. It’s part of a larger month-long celebration that also features burning paper and food offerings.