History of Halloween Part 2

Part 2:  Trick or Treating

During Samhain, masks and costumes were crafted and worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits in hopes of warding off the harm they may wish to bring.  Some masks were designed to pay homage to family ancestors, however.  Now they are worn to pull together the costume; what would Spiderman be without his mask!?

Trick-or-treating is another custom that has become a staple in current Halloween traditions.  It most closely resembles the late medieval practice of "souling”.  The practice involved the poor going from house to house on Hallowmas (November 1).  They would promise prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2) in exchange for food or money.  This practice originated in Ireland and Britain, and when countless Irish immigrants fled the potato famine and came to America, they helped to popularize the tradition.  Americans borrowed the masked idea from the Celtics and the concept of “souling” and Americanized Halloween into what it is today.

Towards the end of the 1800’s American’s began to center Halloween less around pranks and ghouls, and aimed celebrations more towards community activities such as parades, carnivals, parties, and festive costuming.  It was because of these changes that Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious ideals at the turn of the new century. 

Trick-or-Treating was revived between 1920 and 1950, which allowed communities a cheap but entertaining and fun way to remain neighborly and celebrate Halloween together.  To keep themselves safe from tricks of the neighborhood children, treats were given. 

information acquired from:

http://www.newgrange.com/samhain.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain