Halloween, a holiday celebrated widely today, actually began about 2,000 years ago , originating from the Samhain festival of the ancient Celtic people who lived in Ireland and the UK.

The Celtic Roots (Samhain)

The Celtic people marked the night of October 31st as the end of summer and the beginning of the cold, dark winter, or the transition from the old year to the new year.

• They believed that on this night, the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of the deceased spirits became thin, allowing spirits to briefly return to earth.
• They wanted to honor the spirits of the dead , but also feared and wanted to ward off evil spirits and demons that might cause them harm.
• To do this, they lit bonfires and offered sacrifices.
• They also wore unusual costumes made of animal skins so they could blend in with the spirits or be unrecognizable to the demons. This practice is the origin of the modern tradition of wearing costumes.

Transition to 'Halloween'

• Later, as Christians designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day), the night before came to be called 'All Hallows' Eve', which eventually evolved into the name 'Halloween'.
• Over centuries, immigrants from Europe brought the Halloween festival to the United States, where it became more popular and colorful.

Modern Traditions

The way Halloween is mostly celebrated now includes:

• Trick or Treating: Children wear strange costumes and go door-to-door, shouting “Trick or Treat!”. The homeowners then give them treats like chocolates or candies. If they don't, the children might play a spooky trick on them.
• Jack-O'-Lanterns: Carving various faces into pumpkins (originally yellow turnips) and lighting them up. This is believed to be a way to drive away evil spirits.

In the modern world, Halloween has become less about its original religious meanings and more of a fun, creative holiday for both children and adults to enjoy, wear costumes, and have parties. In places like Yangon, you can see costume parties in nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, and celebrations in international schools.

MY Yangon Guide – Yangon Live-Style