Halloween
Here's an other article about Halloween. This time written by Alienor Thomas, in English and exploring the subject trough different aspects.
One of Americans' favourite family celebrations !
Halloween is a very popular tradition in the United States. Unlike French students, American students do not have two weeks off at the end of October, when Halloween is celebrated (31st October). It takes place during fall and there are lots of different activities and traditions.
Jack O'Lantern
This tradition comes from an Irish legend according to which a man named Jack challenged and tricked the Devil, and eventually found himself convicted of wandering in the dark, with only a burning coal to light up his surroundings. He dug a hole into a carved-out turnip and put the coal in it. He has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to call this ghostly figure "Jack of the Lantern" and it finally became "Jack O'Lantern." This tradition has evolved and nowadays, Americans dig faces into pumpkins to decorate outside their houses.
Costumes
In ancient times, the belief was that on Halloween Day monsters walked freely among humans. Therefore, people dressed up as monsters, ghosts, skeletons or other frightening creatures to scare them away. Today, the costumes have diversified, ranging from dinosaurs to cartons of milk.
"Trick or Treat"
On 31st October, when night falls, young Americans in costumes go trick-or-treating: they go from house-to-house knocking on their neighbours' doors saying "trick or treat," which means « farces ou friandises ». The "treat" is usually some form of candy. The "trick" refers to a threat to do mischief on the neighbour or their property if no treat is given
Now that you know the origins of the traditions, go enjoy Halloween !
Written by Alienor Thomas