Freeway - Halloween

Halloween

Halloween comes from Ireland and it is to celebrate the sungod and the souls. The idea to use the pumpkin comes from the history about Jack´o-Lantern. Halloween come from Ireland, where they celebrate the sungod and honour the year's harvest because Halloween is the last day in summer. The first day in November starts the winter and the deathgod empire. The ruler of death is called Samhain, which just mean summer’s last day. It is said that during the night of the last day of October Samhain collected all the souls from the pepole who have died during the year, to leave them in heaven.
To help the souls they placed food and some light and fire near all hills to scare the devil and they also screamed magic words. All Saints' Day is the last holiday in October or the first holiday in November. Saturday it’s All Saints' Day, and Sunday it is All Souls' Day. Halloween started because the Christian church had too many souls to celebrate so on the 9th century they decided to have a special day to celebrate the souls.

The pumpkins history

Where does the pumpkin comes from – the premier symbol for Halloween? The Irish tradition tells the history about Jack-ó-Lantern. From the beginning Jack was a shabby and hated man, who found it difficult to find intoxicated friends during the feasts. One Halloween the devil came to get him. Jack didn’t understand the hurry and wondered if the devil wanted to take a glass with him. The devil agreed if Jack took the bill. After they had taken the drink at the local pub Jack suggested that they should play the bartender a trick. So he aaid: "I understand that you can change your image when you want. Turn into a sixpence coin that I can pay the bartender with. When I place the coin into his hand you’ll be your awful you again." The devil found it a bloody good idea and fulfilled Jack wishes. But instead of keeping his promise the sly Irishman put the coin in a pocket where he already had a silvercross.
The devil couldn’t do anything thing but lying there. If you leave me for a year I will set you free, promised Jack. The devil agreed and was set loose. The year after the devil came back, and unbelievably Jack managed to play the same old trick again and negotiated a ten year respite. It was for no good, Jack died after New Year’s Eve. In heaven no one wanted to let him in, and at the front door to hell he was also turned away. It hasn’t gone ten years yet, the devil said. And I’m not sure I want you here either. But its so dark and cold out here in the world, whined Jack. How will I move forwards on my walk? The devil threw him heated coal from one of the hells ovens. Jack placed the coal inside a hollowed out turnip, and made himself a lamp to comfort him on his eternal journey. Irish and Scottish children used turnips and big potato’s to make their Jack-ó-Lanterns, but in the USA the big pumpkins were more available. Jacks sad face has with time turned into the crying pumpkinman we all know.

THE USA

Halloween in the USA is very serious compared to other countries. In the 1840's Halloween came to America. They always celebrate Halloween the first day of November. To that holiday they bought pumpkin and candy.

Sweden

When Halloween come to Sweden the pumpkin became more popular. In the USA they go to the neighbour and beg some candy. After at while that custom came to Sweden too. In Sweden it's mustly teenagers who celebrate Halloween.
In 1772 all Saints' Day disappeared as am official holiday in Sweden and with king Gustav IIIs calendar reform. ín 1954 it come back, foremost as a memory day to dead relatives. It is Saturday between 31 October and 6 November.