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Halloween's History
Halloween's History
By: Trisha A. & Anna G.
Do you know why children and their parents go out every year knocking on neighbors' houses in crazy costumes on October 31st yelling “trick or treat” and getting candy in return? Well, Halloween has been around for thousands of years with a complicated history.
Where did Halloween originate from?
Where did Halloween originate from?
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This day marked the end of summer, the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with humans’ loss of life. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the border between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the souls of the dead returned to earth.
How was Halloween introduced to America?
How was Halloween introduced to America?
While Halloween originated in Europe, the holiday became the celebration we recognize today when it was brought to America by the early settlers. People originally carved out turnips and placed candles inside to ward off evil spirits, but Americans switched from turnips to pumpkins. They began carving jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region. During the 19th century, immigrants brought it to North America, where it spread in popularity and evolved in many ways. According to tradition, the spirits of the dead were able to come back to life to harm people and crops in the physical world.
Why is it called Trick-or-Treating?
Why is it called Trick-or-Treating?
During some Celtic celebrations of Samhain, villagers disguised themselves in costumes made of animal skins to drive away phantom visitors; banquet tables were prepared and food was left out to placate or satisfy unwelcome spirits. In later centuries, people began dressing as ghosts, demons, and other malevolent creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. It is said that if a treat, candy, is given, then the child will not perform a trick, or prank, on the owner of the house.
Why do people wear costumes?
Why do people wear costumes?
People wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves as harmful spirits to avoid harm. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins. Wearing costumes originated as part of Celtic festivals to ward off or pay homage to the dead, hundreds of years later, they are now a means of expressing creativity, and humor, and paying homage to favorite characters or historical figures.
Halloween is an exciting holiday that the United States, Ireland, Italy, England, Mexico, Portugal, and other countries around the world celebrate. It has changed a lot over the years from believing that the souls of the dead returned to the earth to knocking on neighbors' houses in crazy costumes and yelling “trick or treat” and getting candy in return. So who’s ready to dress up and go trick or treating?
Sources: History.com
The Celebration of Diwali
The Celebration of Diwali
By: Isabella C. & Shruthika J.
Diwali is a Hindu festival that is also celebrated by other religions as well. It is celebrated with lights and fireworks. The word Diwali, or ”Deepavali” as it's sometimes called, means “row of lights” in an Ancient language of India, called Sanskrit.
Diwali is not always celebrated on the same day for it always occurs on a no-moon night. Diwali is a celebration lasting up to 5 days. This big and possibly most important Indian festival occurs in November this year. Diwali is the biggest and most important festival of the year to most Indians. It also marks the end of the harvest season. Diwali has been celebrated for over more than 2,500 years!
Diyas, or oil lamps, are lit because light (or good) triumphs over dark (evil). Many people light fireworks in the dark to show this. FOR SOUTH INDIANS, Diwali is celebrated because Lord Krishna, another Hindu god who is thought to bring positivity)killed an evil Asura king named Narakasura on this day. Narakasura was killed because he was harassing the demigods. FOR NORTH INDIANS, Diwali celebrates Rama and Sita, two Hindu gods who are a couple returning to the Ayodhya palace of Rama and Sita after 14 years.
During this bright festival, people light diyas burst firecrackers, and wear new clothes. Lighting diyas represents enlightenment, prosperity, knowledge, and wisdom. The offering of food, money, and prayers is made because the gods provide people with all their needs. During Diwali, many people visit temples, where they pray to all of the Hindu gods who are decorated with jewelry and flowers. More than one billion people celebrate this festival every year. Many Hindus do poojas or rituals on these days. Many devotees decorate their houses with rangoli, which is a design made on floors-, flowers, and lights. They also share sweets with friends and family to show a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and people believe that offering sweets to others brings luck and prosperity. People also take baths on this day because it is a way to express joy, prosperity, and a fresh start. Lots of prayers are chanted and festive gatherings are held all over the world.
Sources:
National Geographic
Parade.com
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