Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Halloween research topic

The Origin of Halloween
Halloween. Trick or Treating, candy, costumes, carving pumpkins are all traditions of this holiday. Its always a celebratory event each year that it takes place. October 31 is the date that can be mistaken for demonic behavior. To others, its a wonderful time to have a great atime with your friends. But, how did Halloween begin?
Most Historians trace the origin of Halloween back to the Celtics. Costumes and treats was a part of the Celtic celebrations. Traditional Halloween symbols such as witches, black cats, pumpkins, candles, masks, parties and pranks, appeared in the U.S. during the late 1800's. In 1848, millions of Irish emigrants came into America as a result of the potato famine. With this sudden rush of people, the holiday of Druidism found is way here. Proudly Celtic, they called Halloween Oidche Shamhna or Night of Samhain as their ancestors had, and kept the traditional things. Trick-or-treat in Europe was called souling. Beggars would go from village to village begging for "soul cakes" made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers could guarantee a soul's passage to heaven. Before Pumpkins played a role in Halloween,the Irish would crave Jack O'Lanterns into turnips. When the Irish emigrated to America they could not find many turnips to carve into Jack O'Lanterns but they did find alot of pumpkins. Pumpkins seemed to be a suitable substitute for the turnips and pumpkins have been a big part of Halloween celebrations ever since. The faces was intended to frighten away evil spirits. Black cats was considered to be a religious thing in halloween.They was thought of as reincarnated beings and known to predict the future. Bats, owls and other nocturanal animals, also popular symbols of Halloween, were originally feared because people believed that these creatures could communicate with the spirits of the dead. Present day, Bobbing for apples is just a simple game that is a must at Halloween parties. Back in the day people thought of it as a way to gain good fortune. For example, unmarried people would all get in a pail and try to take a bite of an apple. The first to do was said the next to be married.
In the end, you've learned how the celtics started this holiday.
Its been on Earth for many, many years.

1 comment:

  1. Great pic. Great topic. I think your introduction...your hook...could have been better. Your conclusion should tie back into your intro.

    Can you fix it?

    ReplyDelete