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Question
#40613. Bet49
asks:
In what country did trick or treating originate? Happy Halloween!
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Siskin
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Britain and France
The customs associated with Halloween have been derived from the beliefs of the druids, the Celtic priests of ancient Gaul and Britain. Many of the ancient peoples in Western Europe would celebrate the end of the harvest season with a holiday in late autumn. The most important of these holidays to later influence Halloween customs was the Samhain, which was celebrated by the Celts of Western and Central Europe in the first millennium BC.
The Samhain, which occurred on October 31, also marked the beginning of a new year in the ancient Celtic calendar.
According to Celtic pagan religion, the druids believed that witches, demons, and spirits roamed the earth on the eve of November 1, which is known as All Saints' Day - a holy day in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.
The holiday honours Christian saints and was established by the Catholic Church in the 9th century. The ancient druids used to light bonfires to ward off evil spirits. In order to protect themselves from the devilish tricks of the evil spirits, the druids would appease the spirits by offering them treats.
The druids would also disguise themselves in costumes so the spirits would think that the druids belonged to their own company. This is where the custom of wearing costumes on Halloween, as well as trick-or-treating originated.
 http://la.essortment.com/originsofhallo_rcwa.htm
Nov 01 03, 4:58 AM
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