By JI-A LEE
Manifest Staff Writer
Every year at this time, American children make a tour of their neighborhoods in costumes. They carry their Jack-O-Lanterns or bags for candy and go from house to house, shouting “Trick or Treat!” Then, people give them candy.
Many young people have costume parties. Every house is decorated with pumpkin candles which are called Jack-O-Lanterns and other kinds of decorations. It was quite an interesting street scene for me.
Halloween is not a familiar holiday for foreign exchange students like me who are from Asian countries. Asian countries do not celebrate Halloween. We do not even have a holiday that is similar.
One surprising thing is that even Halloween originates in Europe, the day is not celebrated much in Europe. In recent years, France and a few other countries have begun to mark the day, but in general it is not a big deal in Europe.
My very first Halloween in America was last year. At that time I asked a few people, “Hey, what is the Halloween?” “What is it from?” “Why are people wearing costumes?”
However, no one gave me exactly the right answers, so my curiosity about Halloween grew. I did some research.
According to theologians, Halloween comes from the Celtic tribes who lived in or around Europe and people called the Druids.
Before Christianity was introduced, the Celtic tribes believed in a demon called Samhain, who was a spirit of death and life after death. Samhain was the subject of fear for people.
Every October 31st, the Celtic tribes offered a sacrifice to the Samhain to pray for their spirit’s everlasting life after death.
These people believed winter started on October 31. It was a day that ghosts wandered about from place to place.
Europeans, including the Celtic tribes, celebrated November 1st as an “All Hallows Day,” so October 31st was called “All Hallow’ Eve.” Hence, the name Halloween.
Halloween is not a worldwide holiday like Christmas or New Years day, but it is very valuable day to experience and have fun.
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