The origin of Halloween lies in the traditions of the Celtic people. The Celts coalesced as a society circa 800 BCE. They held a major celebration near the end of our month of October, which they called called “Samhain”, a festival to recognize the end of summer.The Celts believed that the veil between this world and the next was thinnest at this time of year. Friends and relatives who had died would often return, with their souls inhabiting an animal – often a black cat. Black cats have remained a symbol of Halloween down to the present time.
In celebration of the recently completed harvest, Celts would give offerings of food to the Gods. They often went from door to door to collect food to donate to their deities. Also, young Celts would ask the townspeople for kindling and wood, and take it to top of the hill for the Samhain bonfire. These are two of the possible origins of present day “trick or treating.”
Samhain was a fire festival. Sacred bonfires were lit on the tops of hills in honor of the Gods. The townspeople would take an ember from the bonfire to their home and re-light the fire in their family hearth. The ember would usually be carried in a holder – often a turnip or gourd. They felt nervous about walking home in the dark; they were afraid of evil spirits. So they dressed up in costumes and carved scary faces in their ember holders. They hoped that the spirits would be frightened and not bother them.
For more information:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_cu.htm
Samhain will be celebrated at the West of Ireland with events from October 17 through November 1st, featuring live music, storytelling, and themed events. All events during the festival, and at the West of Ireland overall, benefit Project Children (ProjectChildren.org).
Highlights include:
- Concerts by: Pipe Dreams, Newbawn Easterwood, Seba Sideways, Skylord Carnell, Ichie Kamachi, Bosco Constantine, MadMax Huet, 12 Jewell, Peter Sakai, Charles Coleman, and Tone Uriza.
- Storytelling every day of the week at the WOI Library: Derry McMahon, Elder Priestman, Aoife Lorefield, Shandon Loring, Han Sontse, Caledonia Skytower, and Draconius Merlin.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/46/177/26
- DJ dances with Jimbo Mimulus, Dave93 Nieuport, JoanyB Odriscoll, Sioban McMahon, Panthera Fhang, Spyot Demina, Conall McGinnis, Keira Colclough, Latis Llewellyn, and Sparrow Letov.
- A Samhain Harvest Dance at Bundoran Beach on Oct 17th at 6pm
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bundoran%20Reef/160/5/24
- A dramatic presentation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the WOI Library on Oct 21st at 7pm and Oct 26 at 11am
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/46/177/26
- Monster Mash Party on Oct 24th at 6pm at the WOI Glen
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/88/102/25
- Rocky Horror Picture Show Night at Nancy’s on Oct 26 at 6pm
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/136/233/27
- Asunshine Galthie exhibition at the WOI Art Gallery
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/164/183/26
- Halloween Costume Party on Oct 31st at 6pm in the WOI Glen
http://slurl.com/secondlife/West%20of%20Ireland/88/102/25
The full schedule can be found at: http://www.irelandsl.org/about/events-live-music/
