Trick or Treat or…Knives? Alternative Halloween Celebrations Around the World Javier Peinado October 25, 2021 Holiday Travel, International Travel Few American traditions are as iconic as Halloween. Spooky pumpkins, quirky costumes, and jolly legions of trick-or-treaters take the streets every year in a charming display of monsters, candies, and frights. But, what about the rest of the world? Is Halloween celebrated beyond U.S. soil? Well, more or less. In fact, there are plenty of distinctive Halloween-esque traditions across the planet created by many cultures and peoples to appease the evil spirits their own way. So, if you happen to be enjoying an international trip just in time for Halloween, you might be in luck. Here are six international traditions that might surprise you or scare you. Or both! Eat Fortune-Telling Bread in Ireland Barmbrack, traditional Irish sweet bread Considering that Halloween has historic roots in the Celtic tradition of Samhain, it makes sense to start our journey in Ireland. Here you can taste the barmbrack, a special sweet yeast bread filled with grapes and raisins. which is supposedly able to predict the future of whoever consumes it. But how does this magic fruitcake work? Well, traditionally, baked into every barmbrack — commonly thought to mean “speckled loaf” in Gaelic — are little non-edible items with very specific fates attached to them. If you find a pea when you take a slice, you will not get married this year…which might be a blessing compared to finding a stick, which will curse you with a miserable marriage. A ring, on the other hand, is sign of a happy marriage. Other baked-in items include a small piece of cloth or rag, which dooms you to a life plagued with poverty or bad luck. The same can be said if you end up with a bean. But, find a coin and you’ll be blessed with endless wealth. Nowadays, owing to safety regulations, you’re more likely find small plastic toys, especially if you buy a piece of barmbrack at the store. Attend the Hungry Ghost Festival in China Hungry Ghost Festival Sometimes referred to as “the Chinese Halloween,” the popular Hungry Ghost Festival takes place on the 15th night of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, which is designated as Ghost Month. But don’t let the name “Hungry Ghost Festival” fool you: these wandering spirits are not merely hungry for food…but also for care and affection as well! If you leave that eagerness for love unchecked, the ghosts can become nasty, evil specters. That’s why, during Ghost month, everybody in China opens their houses and leave out a meal — or even save empty spots at the table — for the undead. The festival is also celebrated in Singapore and Malaysia. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, celebrants attempt to pacify the souls of the undead in every way possible. This includes burning incense and red candles, creating impromptu altars, providing ritual offerings, crafting floating lanterns, and joining in parades. The festival is believed to have originated from a legend focused on Mahāmaudgalyāyana, a bright disciple of Buddha who wanted to feed and appease her hell-imprisoned mother. Celebrate Easter Witch in Sweden Traditional Swedish Easter Witches Witches in Easter? You bet! Every Maundy Thursday — that is, the Thursday before Easter — Swedish children dress up as little witches (or påskkärringar) and knock their neighbors’ doors in search of candy. Sounds familiar? These witches, however, look anything but scary, with cute kerchiefs around their heads and rosy cheeks painted on their faces. How did this tradition come to be? Here comes the spooky part. According to legend, real witches liked to flee to the fabled island of Blåkulla in order to party with the Devil himself on the Thursday before Easter. Although Sweden has a pretty scary history regarding witch trials, this charming tradition survives as an interesting way to spice up a traditional Christian holiday with a hint of Halloween spirit. Commemorate Dušičky in Czechia Time to go less festive and more solemn. As in many other European countries, in the Czechia it’s customary to attend cemeteries on the first days of November in order to visit the tombs of your loved ones. Visitors often bring flowers and light tea candles. But what makes dušičky an unusual practice is that some people bring chairs with them in order to talk with the undead. The idea is to “catch up” with the departed, closing the impassable abyss between the living and those who already left. You may also like: The Best Places to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in the U.S. Hide the Knives in Germany Although Germans also visit their cemeteries every November 1st, there’s another tradition that can definitely sound creepy to anyone visiting the country. Before going to bed, families hide every knife in the household from the ghostly apparitions that visit the mortal realm during All Saints week. However, this ritual isn’t to protect the family, but rather the ghosts themselves. The whole point of this rite is to prevent the aforementioned specters to harm themselves by accident during this ghostly transition between worlds. Leave the Lights on in Austria Cemetery in Austria Austrian have a tradition of leaving the lights on and leaving out a piece of bread for the dead on “Allerseelen” or All Souls Day. The tradition is said to help guide the souls of the dead back to their homes. The bread is left out as a symbol of food and sustenance for the souls. Some people also leave out other offerings, such as water, flowers, or candles. This tradition is believed to have originated in the early Christian church. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 2nd as a day to pray for the dead. The tradition of leaving the lights on and leaving out food is thought to have developed later, in the 10th or 11th century. Other traditions associated with Allerseelen include visiting the graves of loved ones and cleaning them up, lighting candles and saying prayers for the dead, eating special foods, such as poppy seed cake or strudel, and singing traditional songs about the afterlife. FAQs: Q: Are these alternative Halloween celebrations for locals only? A: Not at all! Many of these celebrations are open to visitors and tourists, offering a fascinating opportunity to experience diverse cultures during the Halloween season. Q: Can I participate in the rituals and traditions? A: While some celebrations may have restrictions on participation, many welcome respectful engagement from visitors. It’s a wonderful way to learn and connect. Q: When do these events take place? A: Dates vary from year to year and may be based on lunar calendars. It’s recommended to research specific celebrations well in advance. Q: Are these celebrations similar to Halloween in the United States? A: While there are common themes of honoring the deceased and embracing the mystical, each celebration has its own unique cultural elements that set it apart. Q: Are these celebrations religious in nature? A: Many of these celebrations have religious or spiritual significance, but they also encompass cultural and communal aspects. Q: Can I participate even if I’m not familiar with the culture? A: Absolutely! These celebrations are a chance to learn and appreciate different cultures. Just approach with an open heart and a respectful attitude. Do you know any other interesting or peculiar Halloween tradition? Let us know in our comments section below!
