Halloween is the most popular American holiday. It is the second greatest following Christmas, and approximately two point five billion dollars are spent each year on this very day. Furthermore, the holiday occurs on the 31 st of October each year. Ironically, few scholars have taken an interest in this topic, resulting in the scarcity of relevant scholarly articles online. Nonetheless, studies that touch on this topic examine its origin, rituals, and symbols, among others, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning. Halloween originated from the archaic Celtic festival of Samhain. 1 Initially, individuals wore costumes and set up bonfires to ward off spirits of ghosts. Nonetheless, Pope Gregory, the third transformed the first of November into a holiday for honoring saints. Soon after, several Samhain practices were adopted in the All Saints Day. Over time, what was previously known as “All Hallows Eve” transformed into “Halloween.” Ever since Halloween has been celebrated as a major holiday in the United States.
Halloween is greatly based on the Samhain festival which existed two thousand years ago. It occurs in between summer and winter, on the night where the spirits of ghosts cross the world of the dead to the living, roaming the earth freely. Several rituals take place on the eve of this holiday. First, bonfires are lit in all American towns to chase the spirits of the dead away. However, other scholars argue that there is another core reason for this activity. The former suggests that this is done to mark the end of an old season by burning old crops, among other things, to usher in a new one. The day after, ashes are collected and dispersed to prevent any bad omens. Even today, US citizens assemble and light these fires, roasting marshmallows and other things to celebrate the holiday.
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Secondly, people dress like ghosts during this holiday. It is argued that this ritual is also Celtic in its origins. During the Samhain festival, people remained indoors due to the fear of encountering ghosts. Notably, this happened every year during the festival, until the introduction of costumes. 2 Americans wear ghost-like costumes to deter real ghosts from identifying them. Other people globally consider the practice weird, creepy, and even satanic since they do not understand the ritual. It is the only day that people become what they wish. Americans dress up as their favorite characters in legends and horror movies, such as ghosts, zombies, witches, and ghouls, among others. The holiday gives people a chance to trick the spirits into thinking that they are one of them. Costumes are therefore critical for this occasion.
The third significant ritual is candy eating. It is one of those holidays that children really enjoy. They are allowed to visit one home and neighborhood to the next asking for candies. Halloween is more popular than Christmas to the younger generation. Ironically, most of the people in America hardly know the significance of Halloween. Initially, this particular ritual; was not as happy as it is today. The children of the poor traveled to wealthy neighborhoods in search of food, money, and things to light a bonfire with. 3 Poor families then used what their children had managed to collect to celebrate the All Hollow’s Eve. Over time, the true meaning of these rituals has faded away, and other meanings have been attached to the activities that take place during this day.
The fourth significant ritual is the use of carved pumpkins. Nonetheless, the majority of those who celebrate Halloween have no knowledge of why this takes place. The practices originated from the story of Jack , found in an ancient Irish Christian folk tale. According to the story, Jack dodged death by tricking the devil when he came to reclaim Jack’s soul. Furthermore, legend has it that this character bound the devil to a tree, even though others claim that it was a coin. 4 Later on, he set the devil free on the condition that his soul would not go to hell upon death. Nonetheless, the situation was contrary to Jack’s expectations when he died. God denied him entrance into heaven, and Jack was struck with burning coal by the devil who was still bitter. Later on , he carved out a lantern on a turnip and placed the burning coal inside, before he departed on a quest to find a place to rest. Today, Americans use pumpkins in place of the turnip to commemorate Jack.
The final ritual is bobbing for apples. Compared to the others, this ritual has a Roman origin. The Romans combined All-hallows Eve with their festival Pomona, which was meant for the goddess of fruit trees when they conquered Britain. Young individuals would insert their heads in an apple-filled tub since it was the Deities favorite. Notably, only unmarried individuals engaged in this activity. Those who were able to bite the fruit were granted the freedom to wed. In contemporary Halloween, apples are baked, candied, and sold to uphold tradition.
Moreover, there are several standard expectations during this day. First, everyone is required to wear a costume, as is a tradition . Secondly, every household is required to purchase or make candy in bulk so that they can be offered to children during “Trick or treat.” The members of every household are also required to cheer, as opposed to complaining when children and teens knock and ask for candy. Nonetheless, it is considered strange when older adults attempt to do the same. The activity has been reserved for young children and teenagers. Furthermore, it is also required for people to play harmless Halloween pranks which do not inflict any harm on others. Notably, children think that they will receive large amounts of candy which they can eat for a year. In reality, they receive a few pieces of candy from each home, contrary to their expectations.
Every year, and specifically during the period of Halloween, America experiences autumn-like mild temperatures. It is also common for rain to fall during this holiday. Studies suggest that this happens thirty-three percent of the time. 5 Additionally, excitement is the main mood exhibited by people during this holiday. The long-celebrations, costumes, and candy create excitement in individuals. Halloween is not celebrated by all American citizens. Undeniably, there are those who do not fancy the costumes and the scary events that take place during the holiday. Notably, these people are considered weird people who deny themselves opportunities to have fun. Generally, there are two critical stages of involvement, namely: passive and active. People who opt out of Halloween fit the former description, since they fail to participate actively , but prefer to stay indoors watching Halloween-related movies. In the latter, people are actively engaged in all activities. For instance, they wear costumes, “trick or treat ,” and light bonfires, among others. Generally, the occurrence of the event is not reliant on the participation of every individual. All the events take place in the absence of other people’s involvement.
Halloween is a true manifestation of the culture, religion, and ethnicity of Americans. Several costumes for instance, stereotypically signify the previously discussed factors. Some of these attires promote racism since they are based on harmful stereotypes. Contemporary Halloween posters present various indigenous cultures in a negative light. Posters displaying African men holding knives depict African/Americans as primitive or savages. 6 Today, these costumes also contain some aspects of capitalist spirituality. Multifaceted religious customs are stripped of their cultural backgrounds so that the most marketed parts can be sold.
Halloween is the day that every child’s dreams come true. Notably, people can become anything that they wish during Halloween. Costumes are worn, candies given , pranks set up, and pumpkins carved, to commemorate various events that took place in the past. Nonetheless, a majority of Americans have no profound understanding of what the rituals symbolize. An analysis of the holiday, its rituals, and the meanings attached to them can promote a deeper understanding of Halloween and its significance to the American society.
Bibliography
Tinson, Julie, and Peter Nuttall. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals." Journal of Marketing Management 26, no. 11-12 (2010): 1074-1090.
1 . Julie Tinson, and Nuttall Peter. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals." Journal of Marketing Management 26, no. 11-12 (2010): 1074-1090.
2 . Julie Tinson, and Nuttall Peter. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals."
3 . Julie Tinson, and Nuttall Peter. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals."
4 . Julie Tinson, and Nuttall Peter. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals."
5 . Julie Tinson, and Nuttall Peter. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals."
6 . Julie Tinson, and Nuttall Peter. "Exploring appropriation of global cultural rituals."
