Global Celebrations: Halloween Around the World Part I

Ireland:

In Ireland, believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, the tradition is still celebrated as much as it is in the US. In the countryside bonfires are lit and children dress up to spend the evening “trick-or-treating” in their neighborhoods. Afterwards, most people attend parties with neighbors and friends, during which games like snap-apple (when apples are tied to strings and players attempt to take a bite our of their shiny target) are played. The Irish also play a card game where cards are laid face-down on a table with sweets or coins beneath them. When a child selects a card, he or she receives whatever prize might be found there.

China:

The Chinese equivalent of Halloween is known as Teng Chieh. Food and water are placed in front of photographs of deceased family members while bondfires and lanterns are lit in order to light the paths of spirits as they travel the earth on Haloween night. Worshippers in Buddhist temples craft “boats of the law” from paper, some of which are very large, which are then burned in the evening hours. The purpose of this custom is twofold: to remember the dead and in order to free the spirits of the “pretas” to descend to heaven. “Pretas” are the spirits of those who died as a result of an accident or drowning and whose bodies were consequently never buried and their presence among the living is though to be dangerous. At Buddhist temples, groups form to carry out ceremonies for the “pretas,” which includes the lighting of lanterns, the recitation of sacred prayers by monks, and offerings of fruit.

Mexico, Latin America & Spain:

In Spanish-speaking nations, Halloween is known as “El Dia de los Muertos.” A feel-good festivity, it is a time to remember friends and family who have died. Although officially celebrated on November 2, the three-day celebration actually begins on the evening of October 31. To honor the dead who are believed to return to their homes on Halloween, families design an altar in their home and decorate it with candy, flowers, photographs, fresh water and samples of the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks. Often, a bowl of water and towel are left out in order that the spirit can wash prior to indulging in the feast. Candles and incense are then burned to help the departed find his or her way home. Lastly, a live person is often placed inside a coffin which is then paraded through the streets while vendors toss fruit, flowers and candies into the casket.

For more worldwide Halloween-esque festivities, stay tuned to next week on The Travel Journal. In the mean time, however, take a look at TTC’s collection of exotic masks for the kind of Halloween décor that you can leave up year-round:

http://thetravelerscollection.com/catalogsearch/result/?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=masks