Hallowe’en (October 31) is the eve of All Saints’ Day, the night when, in Celtic tradition, the spirits of the dead were believed to walk the land. Carving scary faces in root vegetables – the pumpkin came much, much later – was just the start of it. There are a plethora of ancient, wonderful and downright weird traditions practised to keep the living safe from the dead.
In honour of this spooky (and sugar-crazed) time of year, we’ve selected a few of our favourite quirky Hallowe’en traditions around the world.
Germany
One of the more eccentric Halloween traditions out there can be found in Germany. Before going to bed, Germans hide their kitchen knives, as it’s believed that visiting spirits may visit harm upon them (or vice versa).
Portugal
On Hallowe’en night, the Portuguese take trips to different cemeteries and feast on chestnuts and wine. A special sugary cake with herbs and cinnamon is baked on the occasion and eaten throughout the day.
Italy
The Italians make a bean-shaped cake called Fave dei Morti (beans of the dead) to celebrate and honour the dead.
The cake has a special significance to the Italians, as gentlemen who propose to their future brides on Hallowe’en place the engagement ring in a small box rapped in a larger pack filled with Fave dei Morti sweets.
¡Feliz Día de Los Muertos! #catarina #calavera #diadelosmuertos
A photo posted by Shawn Pendergrass (@shawnpendergrass1) on
Mexico
In Mexico, Hallowe’en is known as “El Dia de los Muertos” (the Day of the Dead), a three-day celebration intended to honour the deceased. Some Mexicans believe that the dead return to their houses on Hallowe’en night, thus many families construct at-home altars and decorate them with candies, flowers, photographs and the deceased’s favourite food and drinks. In the following days, members of the family commemorate their loved ones by visiting their tombs.
Spain
Similar to the Italians, some Spanish families bake a special treat on Halloween called “pan de muerto” (bread of the dead) to commemorate loved ones. This anise-seed pastry is shaped into round skulls with bone-like strips attached before being covered in an orange glaze.
Austria
Austrians believe that some rituals can bring back souls from the dead. On Hallowe’en night, lamps are lit up inside the home and in cemeteries, while bread and water are left on the table to welcome and feed the hungry spirits.
Belgium
The black cat, that classically spooky symbol of Hallowe’en, is taken especially seriously in Belgium. Belgians take great care not to let a black cat cross their paths, enter their homes or even travel on a ship on Hallowe’en night.
Romania
Taking inspiration from the story of Dracula, some Romanians chose to spend their Hallowe’en night in the castle Bran; located in the heart of Transylvania where the famous 15th-century figure Vlad the Impaler (known in recent history as Count Dracula) lived.
Throughout the night, people recreate the witch trials and gory history of the place, which is still believed by many to be haunted by the vampire himself.
Ireland
Bonfires, parades, bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving and trick or treating (revellers disguising themselves in hopes the spirits will not recognise them) are all popular traditions in the birthplace of Hallowe’en. Of course there’s a religious aspect, families attend mass and visit loved ones’ graves.
USA
In addition to the trick and treating and the 13 Nights of Halloween on ABC, there’s a very special and new(ish) tradition that merges two of the Americans’ great loves – Halloween and cars.
Trunk or treating is generally held in car parks and the idea is that children go from car to car to collect sweets – in the same way they would on streets. Trunk-or-treat events are popular in rural areas, at schools and churches.
A photo posted by Victoria (@victoriatoney) on
(Feature image: Tambako The Jaguar)
