Project 2067: Halloween

Halloween, the original fright night, has a complex history of mixed traditions and cultures. The origins are thought to date back over 2000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts celebrated their New Year on November 1st. This date was not only recognized as the end of summer and their harvest, but also the beginning of winter, and the following cold, dreary and dark nights were closely associated with death. They celebrated Samhain on the night before (October 31st), and on this night it was believed that the boundaries between our world and the spirits world became blurred, resulting in the spirits of the dead returning to earth destroying crops and generally causing trouble. It was not all doom and gloom though, as it was believed that during this transitional period the Druids and Celt priests could predict the future, giving comfort to the Celts to help them through the long, dark winters.

During these celebrations huge bonfires were built with animals and crops being sacrificed in the burning bonfires Animal heads and skins were used to make costumes that were worn during the festival. Costumes and masks were also worn after dark to disguise themselves from passing spirits and to trick the spirits into thinking that they are also ghosts. The Halloween tradition of dressing up in costumes and masks originates from this.

The Romans had entered the scene by 43 AD, occupying most of the Celtic territory. Never being one's to miss a trick; they combined the Celt celebration with two of their own. The first being Feralia, a day in late October when they celebrated the passing of the dead. The second festival was a celebration of the Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona was the apple, and many believe that the Halloween tradition of 'bobbing for apples' originates from this traditional festival.

By the time that Christianity had spread across the Celtic lands in the 800s, the celebration became known as the Eve Of All Hallows (Hallow meaning to bless, consecrate or sanctify), and eventually became known as Halloween. Pope Boniface IV assigned November 1st as All Saints' Day to honour all the saints that didn't have a special day of their own, although it is widely believed that he tried to create a commercial holiday to replace the pagan Celtic holiday. Three hundred years later the Catholic Church created All Souls' Day (November 2nd). This official holiday was created to honour all the faithful dead, and was celebrated like Samhain with big bonfires, parades and costumes. Together, the combined celebrations of the Eve Of All Saints, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day were called Hallowmas.

Trick Or Treat

In medieval times there was a couple of customs that resemble the modern day 'trick or treat'. One is the custom of beggars (and in latter years children) going from door to door asking for 'soul cakes' on All Saints Day. Another popular custom on Halloween across the British Isles and Ireland was that of 'Hobby Horse'. This involved adults and older teens going from house to house demanding Beer and food in exchange for a performance.

In Britain, we have Guy Fawkes Night on the 5th November. It is a celebration of the foiled plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. It is celebrated with big bonfires and fireworks. In the old days, children used to dress in rags and beg for money to buy fireworks. Over the years Guy Fawkes Night and Halloween have become closely entwined with each other.

In 19th century America, men used to run amuck on Halloween causing mischief and playing pranks, this was all blamed on the spirits being abroad that night.

The term 'Trick or Treat' did not appear in print until 1939, and started off as a Thanksgiving Day tradition when children (nicknamed Ragamuffins) would dress up in costumes and beg for pennies. This was all quite harmless fun until the depression hit 1930's when adults started to recruit 'boys' to carry out organised vandalism. Organised safe events and parties were organised by communities and bribes were paid out to local boys and gangs to prevent the anarchy. The Ragamuffins switched their dates to Halloween.

Things got nasty in the US during the 1980's when a bad combination of poverty and high unemployment fuelled violent vandalism and attacks that resembled pure anarchy. This was a time when unemployment was breeding a culture where frustrated and bored jobless young males had a lot built up anger, and, as any criminologist would tell you; Halloween was the perfect excuse to release it with explosive results.

The custom of 'trick or treating' hit the UK shores in the mid 80's with a wave of media hysteria, and in no time urban legends started doing the rounds. Despite all the fears and anxieties, 'trick or treating' has never reached the popularity and violent levels of the US.

Final Thoughts

Halloween is big business with an estimated $6.9 billion spent on the festive holiday in the US.

Buy the book Project 2067: Urban Legends and check out 'The Halloween Prediction' , 'Tricks In Treats', and many other legends of pure horror