The history of Halloween.
This holiday is also known as All
Hallows Eve. Welcome to
watch watchmojo.com and today we’ll be learning more about Halloween.
Trick or treat!
Halloween is
a holiday observed annually on October 31st. Though it’s celebrated in some Asian and
South American countries, it is mostly commemorated by Western nations.
Some believe
Halloween has pagan origins. It is most commonly linked to the Celtic Festival of
Samhain, which marked the end of autumn and the harvest season. During this
period, the people at the Gaelic world held feast in honour of the departed
souls that entered our realm. Alongside the souls of the deceased, it was
believed that very supernatural beings made their way to us as well, but not all
of them were good. As such, people started carrying car turnips and
wearing costumes in a possible attempt to deter evil spirits.
Other Samhain customs included going from home to home to gather
food, fuel and offerings for the festival.
When the Roman Empire conquered Celtic territory later on, some of
ancient Rome’s religious traditions, such as its festival of the dead, were
incorporated into the celebration of Samhain.
Halloween has also been associated with Christianity because of
All Hallows or All Saints Day on November 1st, with All
Souls Day falling on November 2nd, this holy period
obliged religious Europeans to observe various traditions that were in
practice as early as the 12th century. For instance, to
pray for souls trapped in purgatory, the impoverished
went to their neighbour’s homes for soul cakes that were baked
for the occasion.
Meanwhile, those trying to hide from potentially
vengeful spirits would dress up. This tradition spread to North
America through Irish and Scottish immigration in the
nineteenth century.
It was here that the pumpkin eventually replaced the turnip as the
jack-o-lantern. Other objects connected
with fall, like corn husks and scarecrows, were also adopted as decorations for
the home during Halloween.
Thanks to its associations with spirits and the world
beyond, Halloween has been linked to paranormal imagery and horror figures,
so as trick-or-treating increased in popularity, many traditional Halloween
costumes worn by children became supernatural in team.
These days, costume choices have expanded to include famous
people, pop culture characters and more.
Today instead of traveling to a neighbour’s home for soul cakes or other
offerings, the custom involves a request more sweet.
Normally reserved for kids, the practice of going door-to-door is usually
accompanied by participants asking trick-or-treat.
When collecting their candy, playing pranks has also been historically associated
with Halloween. Adults celebrate by also going in costumes and attending Halloween
parties. Other common activities today include watching horror movies and sharing ghost
tales.
Halloween is now a lucrative holiday, as costumes, candy and horror
films are big business. You'll likely be
able to find a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to watch, but
Halloween attractions like haunted houses, hayrides and more are also
available.
For Halloween costume and make-up ideas, head to watchmojo.com for easy and fun
tutorial videos.
QUESTIONS:
This holiday is 1 _______________ celebrated on October 31st and some believes it has pagan 2 _______________.
People started carrying carved turnips and wearing costumes in a possible 3 _______________ to deter evil spirits.
Religious Europeans had to observe various traditions that were in practice as 4 _______________ as the 12th century.
This tradition 5 _______________ to North America through Irish and Scottish immigration. Common activities today include sharing 6 _______________ tales. The custom has evolved over time.
Now neighbours are requested for 7 _______________ instead of 8 _______________.
Halloween is now a 9 _______________ holiday: among other 10_______________, haunted houses, hayrides and more are available.
Key 1 annually 2 origins 3 attempt 4 early 5 spread 6 ghost 7 sweets 8 soul cakes 9 lucrative 10 attractions
ANOTHER EXCERSISE:
1. Halloween is a _____________ also known as “All Hollows’ Eve”.
2. Halloween is a holiday mostly celebrated by Western ____________
3. Halloween is a feast in honour of the ____________
4. The festival of the dead is an example of an ancient Rome’s religious ___________ that were incorporated into the celebration of Samhain.
5. In Europe, in order to pray for souls trapped in purgatory, poor people went to the home of their ______________ asking for soul cakes.
6. In North America, some objects connected with fall were adopted as decorations for the __________ during Halloween.
7. Many traditional Halloween costumes that became supernatural in theme were worn by __________
8. The custom of Halloween involves kids going from home to home requesting for ___________
9. Adults celebrate Halloween by donating ___________ and attending Halloween parties.
10. Today, costumes, candies and horror ___________ are a big business.
KEY
1. [holiday / feast]
2. [countries / nations]
3. [deceased / dead / departed souls]
4. [traditions / customs]
5. [neighbours]
6. [home / house]
7. [kids / children]
8. [sweets / candy]
9. [costumes / dress-up clothes]
10. [films / movies]
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