Diversity Thursday: Halloween

Halloween, which is celebrated in so many different ways today, has a long and chequered history. Its origins are often linked to Celtic, Christian and North American traditions, although a direct connection - particularly with the Celtic Samhain festival - is disputed by scholars. The development of Halloween in its current form shows how cultural exchange changes customs and gives rise to new ones and how Halloween can be celebrated today as a respectful and creative festival.

The unproven origins: The Celtic festival of the dead Samhain

Halloween is often associated with the Celtic festival "Samhain". However, a direct connection between Samhain and modern Halloween cannot be proven beyond doubt. It was celebrated around 2,000 years ago by the Celts in Ireland, Great Britain and northern France and marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark season. Samhain was considered a time when the boundary between the world of the living and the dead was particularly porous. The Celts believed that spirits and supernatural beings could return to earth on this night. To protect themselves, they lit fires and wore masks.

The adaptation: The Christian festival of All Saints

With the spread of Christianity in Europe, many pagan customs were adopted and reinterpreted. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III declared 1 November to be All Hallows' Day to honour deceased saints and martyrs. The evening before, 31 October, became known as All Hallows' Eve and later "Halloween". This Christian festival was intended to replace the pagan customs, but many of the rituals remained or were mixed with the new traditions. In this way, Halloween developed into a festival that honoured both the changing seasons and the dead.

The emergence of a modern festival: Halloween in North America

In the 19th century, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought many Halloween customs to North America. There, the festival gradually developed into a family-friendly, partly commercialised event that today delights children and adults alike. Customs such as trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving date back to this time. Originally, children went from door to door to say prayers for the deceased or sing songs, in return for which they were given biscuits or small gifts. In the USA, this gave rise to the custom of going from door to door in disguise and collecting sweets. The pumpkin is based on an Irish folk tale about "Jack O'Lantern", who was unable to go to heaven or hell after his death. With a hollowed-out turnip as a lantern, he wandered restlessly through the darkness. This led to the tradition of carving pumpkins with faces and illuminating them from the inside.

Today, Halloween is known in many parts of the world, each with its own special flavour. In Germany, for example, it has been celebrated mainly since the 1990s.

Remembrance of the deceased: A global tradition

In Mexico, the "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) is celebrated at the same time, a colourful, lively festival that celebrates the memory of the deceased with altars, flowers, music and parades. However, this festival is not a Mexican version of Halloween. In 2008, UNESCO recognised Día de Muertos as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Such customs show that the approach to death and remembrance is very different around the world and yet is often celebrated with similar symbols of solidarity and joie de vivre.

Halloween: Diversity and inclusion

A look at the history of Halloween shows: This celebration has always been characterised by cultural encounters, change and mutual influence. Different customs and beliefs have come together over time and shaped what is celebrated today as Halloween. Halloween is therefore also a symbol of inclusion, diversity and creative freedom. When we dress up, decorate and celebrate, we are not only expressing joy, but also taking part in a tradition that is thousands of years old and are reshaping it.

Halloween is not only an occasion for entertainment, but also an opportunity to be mindful of cultural symbols. Go for creative and imaginative costumes that do not mimic any cultural, ethnic or social groups, as such representations contribute to the reinforcement of stereotypical images and can be perceived as offensive. Respectful behaviour creates an atmosphere in which everyone feels welcome.

Sources

• Britannica | Samhain - Celtic Harvest, Pagan Rituals & Bonfires
• The Mirror | Trick or Treat?
• Deutschlandfunk | Dem Halloween-Kürbis auf der Spur
• Deutschlandfunk Kultur | Halloween - Sich mit dem Tod beschäftigen
• domradio.de | Nicht nur ein Kürbisfest
• Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland | Ursprung und Bedeutung von Halloween
• National Geographic | 10 things you should know about Día de Muertos
• National Geographic | The History of Halloween
• National Geographic | Trick or Treat: How Halloween came to Germany
• Norddeutscher Rundfunk | Halloween: What's behind the spooky festival on 31 October?

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