What do you know about Halloween? When and where did it start? Why is it celebrated? A student of mine researched about it and we discussed that in our class. It's a really amazing story. Below is the worksheet we have used.
There are many different ideas about Halloween's origins. Some say it dates back nearly 6,000 years, while others argue that Halloween has a much shorter history. What most agree on is that Halloween's original focus was more about harvests than horror.
Some say the tradition began with the Celts, who lived
thousands of years ago in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern
France. The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1, which marked the end
of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter (the only two seasons the
Celts recognized.) To help protect themselves and their crops during the long
winter, the Celts carried out a joyous harvest celebration called Samhain
(pronounced sow-in), which means "summer's end." Some say Celtic
priests burned crops and animals as part of the celebration. They also
supposedly wore costumes and told each other's fortunes at this time.
How did the name 'Halloween' come about?
By the 800s, Christianity had spread into Celtic lands and Pope Boniface IV named November 1 "All Saints' Day." It was a day to honor those who died for their beliefs. The celebration was also called "All-hallows" or "All-hallowmas" (from an old English word "Alholowmesse," meaning All Saints' Day). People began to call the night before it "All-hallows Eve." This name eventually became Halloween.
How did the name 'Halloween' come about?
By the 800s, Christianity had spread into Celtic lands and Pope Boniface IV named November 1 "All Saints' Day." It was a day to honor those who died for their beliefs. The celebration was also called "All-hallows" or "All-hallowmas" (from an old English word "Alholowmesse," meaning All Saints' Day). People began to call the night before it "All-hallows Eve." This name eventually became Halloween.
Trick-or-treating most likely dates back to early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor people would beg for food. Families would then give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. Children eventually took on this tradition, known as "going a-souling," and they would visit houses in their neighborhood for drinks, food and money.
Where did the idea of wearing Halloween costumes come from?
Dressing up in Halloween costumes also has European origins. Hundreds of years ago, people believed that ghosts roamed the streets on Halloween night, so they wore masks when they left home to fool ghosts into thinking they were other spirits.
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Where did the name 'Jack-o'-Lantern' come from? The name "Jack-o'-Lantern" comes from an old Irish myth about a famous trickster named Stingy Jack, who was not allowed into either heaven or hell because of his trickery. So, according to the story, the devil gave Jack a glowing piece of coal placed inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way at night. As the legend goes, Jack has been roaming the face of the earth ever since. The Irish named this ghostly figure "Jack of the Lantern," which was later shortened to "Jack o' Lantern."
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Why are Jack-o'-Lanterns made out of pumpkins?
Hundreds of years ago, children in Scotland and Ireland made their version of Jack-o'-Lanterns out of turnips. They'd hollow them out, carve faces on them and place candles inside. Then they would carry them around at night to scare away wandering evil spirits like Stingy Jack. All of this changed, however, when European immigrants came to America and saw that pumpkins made better Jack-o'-Lanterns because of their bright orange color, round shapes and soft insides. Can you imagine carving faces into a tough old turnip.
Hundreds of years ago, children in Scotland and Ireland made their version of Jack-o'-Lanterns out of turnips. They'd hollow them out, carve faces on them and place candles inside. Then they would carry them around at night to scare away wandering evil spirits like Stingy Jack. All of this changed, however, when European immigrants came to America and saw that pumpkins made better Jack-o'-Lanterns because of their bright orange color, round shapes and soft insides. Can you imagine carving faces into a tough old turnip.
2. Answer the questions below
a) What is the original focus of Halloween?
b) Who began the tradition of Halloween?
c) What did the Celts celebrate on November 1?
d) What were the 2 seasons that the Celts recognized?
e) Why did the Celts carried out a harvest
celebration?
f) What does Samhain mean?
g) What was celebrated on All Saints’ Day?
