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The Enrichment Project
Halloween / All Hallows Eve
Steps
1. Truth or not.
As you explore the history of Halloween, you will encounter difering viewpoints on the
traditions of this holiday. Just as the holiday celebrates the unknown, we may have to be
satised that some of the truth of Halloween may not be revealed. Keep an open mind as
you start your adventure.
History
2. Celts / Druids.
The Celts / Druids celebrated Samhain 2,000 years ago. Some sources point to using
skulls in their ceremony as sacrices to appease the gods. Others point out festivities
including large res and silly behavior. Some of their rituals have become traditional
Halloween activities. Find out more about Samhain.
3. October 31.
When calendars were established, the Celtic new year started on November 1. The end
of the year was celebrated with feasts and family. The end of the growing season was
celebrated as food and other items were stored for the coming winter. The traditions we
think of as Thanksgiving today are similar to the festivities they shared. Look at the two
holidays and see what traditions have crossed between the two.
4. Celtic stories.
Many of our traditions came from Celtic oral stories. This includes witches, werewolves
and vampires. Find traditional Celtic stories about Halloween. See if you can nd links
to modern day traditions.
5. Evolution of traditions.
Find out about the following traditions that were started long ago, including what they
originally were. Add others if you dont like the choices below.
Bobbing for apples
Jack-o-lanterns
Trick-or-treat / soul cakes
Black cats
6. The world of the dead.
It was believed that the space between the living and dead was the thinnest during
Samhain. Communicating with the dead was part of the original ceremonies. Was re used
for protection or just part of the festivities? Were masks to hide from malevolent spirits or
frivolity? Explore how communicating and interacting with the dead has evolved to current
practices.
Halloween /
All Hallows Eve
Halloween, as we
celebrate it today,
is a combination of
traditions, beliefs
and evolution from
a multitude of
cultures. Lets
explore how a
diverse variety of
people created our
present holiday.
Enrichment
Project
larajla.com
7. Medieval traditions.
Pope Gregory, in trying to convert the pagans to Christianity, ofcially made Samhain into
All Saints Day. Some traditions they celebrated included:
Bonfre
Parade
Costumes
Cakes ofered in exchange for prayers for the dead
Witches
8. Coming to America.
When the Puritans came to America, Halloween didnt come with them. However, as
immigrants came to the United States, so did the holiday and the traditions associated
with it. Play parties where people would share stories of the dead, tell fortunes, dance
and sing were the beginning of Halloween in the US. Find out more about what these
entailed or plan a party yourself with a play party theme.
9. Growing up in America.
Halloween evolved into a childrens holiday in the 1950s with the baby boomers. It became
a secular holiday from the time of the play parties until this time. Often, it was a
community celebration. Explore how Halloween was celebrated before the 1950s.
Halloween Today
10. A fun scary.
Celebrations for Halloween revolve around being scared, but not life threatening. There
are no dark worship or religious rites. Younger kids are presented with a lighter Halloween
with smiling jack-o-lanterns and grinning ghosts. Young adults are more fascinated with
frightening witches and aming skulls. Look at how Halloween is presented to diferent
age groups.

11. Halloween commercialism.
Halloween has also become a huge commercial enterprise for many industries. Like many
other holidays, making money from the holiday is a drive for retailers, confectioners,
costumers and more. Be aware of how much commercialism is woven into the holiday.
12. Explore it further.
This badge program is just one in the Halloween set. Check out one or more of the
following in the set:
Halloween Costumes
Halloween Crafts
Halloween Decor
Halloween Games
Halloween Haunted
Halloween Party
Halloween Recipes
Halloween Traditions

Enrichment
Project
larajla.com
Sites to Explore
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
www.history.com/topics/halloween
www.loc.gov/folklife/halloween.html
inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/Samhain.htm
altreligion.about.com/od/history/f/Why-Do-So-Many-People-Connect-Halloween-and-Samhain.htm
paganwiccan.about.com/od/samhainoctober31/p/Samhain_History.htm
www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt
www.newgrange.com/samhain.htm
www.chalicecentre.net/samhain.htm
www.albee.org/halloween/history.htm
www.scribd.com/doc/20978665/The-Five-Scariest-Traditional-Halloween-Stories
suite.io/rachel-bellerby/12c5204
www.ibtimes.com/halloween-history-europe-america-857071
www.newyorkcarver.com/halloween.htm
wordcraft.net/halloween4.html
www.gutenberg.org/fles/20644/20644-h/20644-h.htm
Check out larajlas Enrichment Project
to start your own adventure.