Profesora de Ingles

Claudia Acosta

The origin of Halloween go back to BC 500, to the celtic festival of Samhain. For the Celts this day marked the end of the season of Sun and the beginning of the season of Darkness

It was believed that on Samhain the borders between this world and the other world opened and the spirits could pass through.

The Celts dressed up in scary costumes and masks They believed that if they looked like monsters Themselves, the spirits wouldn’t notice them and So they wouldn’t harm them.

People used to put out the fires in their homes. They gathered and lit bonefires. Sometimes they sacrificed animals and threw the bones in the fire.

They kept the bonefire burning untill the morning.

They also used to empty large pumpkins and carve scary faces on them. They lit a candle insidethe pumpkin and used them to light their way in thedark and scare the evil spirits.

People also used to leave some fruits and nuts outside their doors for the hungry spirits.They believed that the spirits wouldn’t harm their houses if they found something to eat.

Today’s “Trick or Treat” tradition has its origin in this old belief.

Present day British, Irish Welsh and Scotish people are all descendents of the Celts.

This is why it is mainly celebrated in Britain, USA and Canada.

AND NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN:

What does “HALLOW” mean in old English?

Which Christian Holiday is celebratedon the 1st November?

What did the Celtic Samhain festival mark?

Who could visit Earth on that day?

Why did they leave some food outside their doors?

What'sThe origin of “Trick or Treat”?

What did people use the pumpkins for?