Although having a pagan and Christian history, the event of Halloween is celebrated in regions all over the world. But do you know who celebrates Halloween? This is a very important question. Although being popular among many nations of the world, it is still not known nor celebrated in many other regions of the world.
Who Celebrates Halloween
The origin of Halloween is a mixed one with the culture having a different origin around the world. Outside the United States, the celebration of Halloween is different and unique. And besides the US, other countries with halloweentime celebrations include Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, and Italy.
Halloween originated in Ireland no doubt, so it is, therefore, no surprise that it is one of the places outside of the US where you will find lots going on related to Halloween. Traditions like treat and tricking, dressing up in ghost-like costumes are all associated with the Halloween tradition, Ireland on the other hand has a few customs that have not yet crossed the Atlantic.
Some of these traditions that are yet to be taken by other nations that practice Halloween include the consumption of a traditional fruitcake known as Barnbrack, lighting of bonfires, and setting fireworks. There are also other events that are being held on the “faithful day” including organizing street rallies and parties with lots of costumed revelers and so many more.
Is Halloween Big In England
The United States of America undoubtedly has and does the most when it comes to Halloween. With that being said, Halloween is not that big in the UK as it is in the US, the Americanized version of it though. The day has however grown in popularity in recent years though. But as a general rule in the UK, Guy Fawkes Day? Bonfire night always has been a thing of a bigger deal in the region. Some persons actually think the reason for this I the fact that the dates for each of the events are close and are both kind of subversive in nature.
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins at Halloween
With the celebration of Halloween, the culture of carving spooky faces on pumpkins evolved to the modern-day. The original idea of the jack-o-lanterns was to ward off spirits. In many traditions, people think that on hallows night that now evolved to Halloween, ghosts of their ancestors visit. And with the carving of spooky faces on pumpkins, these ghosts could b warded off. The Irish during the festival of Samhain would hang carved pumpkins in their windows and keep them in front of their houses to keep evil spirits away.
The modern-day carving of pumpkins is strictly done for entertainment and nothing else. The practice is still very much popular and enthusiasts of pumpkin carving now carve various designs and not just make them spooky. Students may even use patterns to carve the name of their school or the symbol of their school on a pumpkin. With modern-day Halloween, the practice of pumpkin throwing contests and pumpkin carving contests have become popular during the celebration.
