|
Hallowe\'en is a popular festival in many countries all over the world, and every year it seems to get bigger. It\'s getting dark earlier and it\'s starting to get cold. Christmas is still a long way away. We need something to cheer us up and take our minds of the fact that winter is nearly here. See how much you know about the traditional festival of Hallowe\'en. The origins of the name The festival of Hallowe\'en has its roots in Celtic and Roman traditions. Over 2,000 years ago the Celts in Britain, Ireland and parts of France celebrated Samhain to mark the beginning of winter. When the Romans invaded, they merged this with Feralia, their celebration of the passing of the dead. As Christianity spread, the Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with official Church holy days. One of these was November 1. It was called "All Hallows", and October 31 was known as "All Hallows\' Eve", and then Hallowe\'en. Hallowe\'en traditions In the past there was a tradition called "souling". Poor people went around houses asking for food. In exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead. People no longer go souling, but the habit has been transformed into a modern Hallowe\'en game for children in America, who dress up as ghosts, witches and monsters and go around people\'s houses. Witches Hallowe\'en wouldn\'t be fun without witches. Witches have always been part of popular folklore. Shakespeare\'s play "Macbeth" opens with three witches. A witch was someone - usually a woman - who had special powers and had dealings with the devil. The American town, Salem, is famous for the "witchcraft trials", which took place there in 1692. | 
