Each week, Professor Al West answers a question from a reader of Dimoitou News. Today, many have asked us to explain the origin of All Saints' Day, Halloween and the day of the dead.
"In the Christian religion, the saints are people who have had an exemplary life. 1,400 years ago, the pope (the leader of the Christians) decided to create a day especially for them! It's the feast of all saints, or All Saints' Day. It is celebrated on November 1st. In France, it is a holiday.
In the eleventh (9th) century, the Christian religion became more and more important in Europe. But some peoples, like the Celts, continued to celebrate their own traditions. For them, the year started on November 1st. They celebrated Samain, the new year, on October 31st.
They thought that at this time of the year many evil spirits were descending on Earth. In front of the houses, they placed turnip lanterns. A grimacing face, carved on the vegetable, removed evil spirits. It reminds you of something? Normal...
In the 19th (19th), a great famine fought over Ireland. Many residents have settled in the United States. They took with them their traditions! But instead of turnips, they used pumpkins for their lanterns. They have become the hallmark of Halloween!
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