Halloween is known nationwide as the holiday for costumes and candy in the United States, but as the holiday’s customs and traditions vary throughout the planet, each Halloween is different. According to History.com, Halloween traces back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people wore costumes and lit fires to ward off spirits. In today’s modern world, Halloween celebrations range from scary to spiritual.
In Mexico, Día de los Muertos, known as the Day of the Dead, is a time to honor lost loved ones who have passed with altars, marigolds, and food. However, in Ireland, the country of which Halloween began, is celebrated with games, bonfires, and traditional treats like barmbrack, a fruitcake with small charms baked inside.
Various other parts of the world also celebrate Halloween differently. For example, in Japan, Halloween has evolved to be a major costume festival, with large parades and themed events that focus on creativity more than candy. In the Philippines, “Pangangaluluwa” —definitely a mouthful— is a tradition where people go door to door singing for souls, almost like the carolers on Christmas. However, in Italy and Spain, families visit cemeteries to leave gifts like flowers and candles. According to NPR, each culture puts its own meaning on the day, with some prioritizing fun, and others prioritizing the remembrance and appreciation of family.
While other countries celebrate Halloween in their own unique way, an American student from Hamburg Area High School, Mason Velilla, explained how he celebrates Halloween each year. “Usually, I spend the majority of the day out with my friends, trick-or-treating in our costumes…” When asked about his own experience and opinions, Mason shared, “Halloween is a really fun holiday, and although we have to have school, it’s worth it because we get to spend the evening with our friends and family. The spooks of neighboring houses are the highlight of the holiday for me.” Additionally, he claims how the holiday may interfere with his normal time schedule. “Since the holiday lands on a school day, I usually have homework. This makes me have to choose between completing it on that night and missing out on trick-or-treating and celebrating the holiday, or potentially getting in trouble or points off when it is collected. It really bothers me, and I wish school was dismissed early so we could all celebrate.” However, he concludes by saying how the holiday, despite its flaws, is still one worthy of notice. “Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and even though things usually get in the way and it’s a little chaotic, it always ends up memorable in the end.”
His story along with many others shows that even within one country, traditions can look completely different, which is what makes Halloween such a unique, special, and beloved holiday around the world.
For more information, visit history.com and npr.org.
