0812 46 37 27
In the context of global integration, many important holidays from Western countries have entered Vietnam. Among them, Halloween is a special event, usually held on October 31st each year. Do you really understand this festival? Let Kamereo help you discover what Halloween is in the following article!
What is Halloween?
Halloween is a prominent traditional festival in Western countries. Its full name is “All Hallows’ Evening,” loosely translated as “the festival of spirits.” Halloween takes place on October 31st every year, before the Christian All Saints’ Day.
Originally, Halloween marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the cold winter. This festival then spread worldwide and is celebrated differently depending on the country. During Halloween, people often dress up as ghostly characters and attend parties decorated in a spooky manner, enjoying the festivities under the moonlight.
Where did the Halloween festival originate?
The Halloween festival originated from the Celts, an ancient people who lived over 2000 years ago in present-day Britain, Ireland, and northern France. They believed that on the eve of the new year, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to the mortal world. To ward off evil spirits or welcome the return of deceased loved ones, the Celts would light large bonfires and wear special costumes on the festival night.
The meaning of Halloween
Halloween is not just an annual holiday; it holds a deep meaning in remembering the deceased and warding off evil spirits.
Remembering the deceased
Halloween was originally celebrated on the night before All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and ended on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd). This created three consecutive days meant to honor saints who have or have not ascended to heaven.
Additionally, Halloween holds significance in remembering loved ones who have passed away. According to tradition, the spirits of the deceased are allowed to return to visit their families during this time. The Roman Catholic Church believes that prayers from the living can help purify souls and bring them closer to God.
Warding off evil spirits
The Celts also believed that the boundary between life and death became thin on October 31st, allowing spirits from the afterlife to enter the mortal world. To combat this, they would extinguish all fires in their homes to create a cold, dark environment, making it seem uninhabited. Additionally, the Celts would dress up as the dead or evil spirits and wander around their communities to ward off lost spirits.
Warming lonely souls
According to Irish legend, a man named Jack, known for being greedy and stingy, once saved a demon trapped by villagers using sacred objects. To repay him, the demon promised never to take Jack’s soul to hell. As a result, when Jack died, both heaven and hell refused him. Feeling sorry for Jack’s loneliness and coldness, the demon gave him a glowing ember placed inside a pumpkin to keep him warm. Since then, the pumpkin has become a symbol of Halloween.
Traditional Halloween foods
Besides dressing up and trick-or-treating, Halloween is also a time to enjoy many traditional and delicious foods.
Pumpkin soup
Pumpkin is a symbol of Halloween, so dishes made from it have become an essential part of the holiday. Among them, pumpkin soup is the most popular and loved.
Depending on the country, pumpkin soup can be made in various ways, such as cooking it with beef, lamb, or preparing vegetarian versions. The soup is creamy, nutritious, and loved by both adults and children.
Caramel apples
Caramel apples are a traditional treat during Halloween. Since October is apple harvest season in the U.S., this treat originated from there.
To make caramel apples, fresh apples are dipped in sweet syrup, with a stick inserted for easy handling. The caramel apples have a mysterious dark brown appearance and a sweet, irresistible flavor.
Candy corn
Candy corn is a popular Halloween treat in the U.S. It first appeared in 1880 under the name “Chicken Feed” and remains a favorite today. With its distinctive taste, candy corn divides people—either they love it or they can’t stand it.
Made mainly from corn syrup, sugar, honey, and artificial colors, candy corn is triangular and resembles a kernel of corn. It has three layers of color: white, orange, and yellow.
Colcannon mashed potatoes
Traditional Colcannon mashed potatoes originated in Ireland and are made from four main ingredients: potatoes, butter, milk, and kale. Today, the dish is modified with ingredients like bacon, cream, leeks, scallions, and pepper to enhance its flavor.
Colcannon has become a staple dish in Western Halloween feasts due to its delicious taste and simple preparation.
Soul cakes
Soul cakes are round cookies decorated with raisins in the shape of a cross and are popular during Halloween. According to legend, these cakes were given to wandering souls to prevent them from harming people.
The name “soul cakes” comes from this belief. Nowadays, people often make soul cakes in various spooky shapes like skulls and ghosts to fit the Halloween theme.
Barmbrack bread
Barmbrack bread, or brack, originated in Ireland. Initially, it was popular during Halloween in Europe before spreading to other regions. Though there is no fixed recipe, Barmbrack is usually baked with a bread-like texture and filled with dried fruits like raisins and blackberries.
Traditionally, certain items are placed inside the bread as a form of fortune-telling during Halloween. Objects like a coin, a piece of cloth, and a ring are often hidden inside. The coin symbolizes financial luck, the cloth indicates financial struggles, and the ring predicts the recipient’s romantic future.
Boxty Pancakes
Lastly, Boxty Pancakes are an essential Halloween food, originating from Ireland. Made from mashed, shredded, and grated potatoes, these pancakes are fried in a pan. Boxty Pancakes are a popular dish in Western Halloween celebrations.
They are often served with rich Greek cream and fruit-based syrup, and are sometimes garnished with finely chopped vegetables to create vibrant colors.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand what Halloween is and provided you with more information about this year-end event. Halloween is not only an important holiday in Western countries but also a great business opportunity for F&B establishments, toy stores, etc. Stay tuned to “Food and Life” for more exciting information about upcoming festivals!
Read more:
