Origins of Halloween: Unearthing the Ancient Roots of a Spooky Tradition - informational by RF

"Origins of Halloween: Unearthing the Ancient Roots of a Spooky Tradition" - informational video by Resolve Foundation/Resolve Press
Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated over 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of France. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time associated with death and the supernatural. Here's a brief history of how Halloween evolved into the celebration we know today:
Celtic Samhain: Samhain, celebrated on the night of October 31st, was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off roaming spirits.
Roman Influence: When the Romans conquered Celtic territories, their festivals like Feralia (commemorating the passing of the dead) and Pomona (celebrating the Roman goddess of fruit and trees) merged with Samhain traditions.
Christianization: In the 8th century, the Catholic Church established All Saints' Day (All Hallows' Day) on November 1st and All Souls' Day on November 2nd. These days were meant to honor saints and pray for the souls of the deceased. The night before All Hallows' Day became known as All Hallows' Eve, later shortened to Halloween.
Medieval Traditions: In medieval Europe, Halloween evolved with various customs like "souling" (the poor going door-to-door for food in exchange for prayers for the dead) and "guising" (disguised people going house to house for food and money).
Immigration to America: When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to North America in the 19th century, it began to take on a more communal and family-centered holiday.
Commercialization: In the 20th century, Halloween became more commercialized with the mass production of costumes, decorations, and candy.
Modern Celebrations: Today, Halloween is celebrated with a mix of ancient and modern traditions. It's a time for dressing in costumes, carving pumpkins, going trick-or-treating, and attending parties. It has also become a significant retail and entertainment holiday.
The celebration of Halloween has evolved over centuries and now combines elements of ancient Celtic, Roman, and Christian traditions, making it a fun and spooky holiday enjoyed by people of all ages.
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