Halloween Around the World

To some it's a marketing scheme, to others a devil’s celebration, and to others a period of connection. Halloween is one of the most significant holidays of the year. To many Americans, Halloween is all about candy, costumes, and trick or treating. One can’t say they’ve lived a Halloween until they’ve walked into a bustling Walmart and seen the giant aisles overflowing with candy packs and costumes. To Americans, Halloween goes something like this: adults buy, teens gather, and children trick or treat.

However, Halloween in other countries is vastly different. In countries with a Spanish colonial history such as Guatemala, Halloween has a very negative stigma surrounding it. In Guatemala, Halloween is seen as a “celebration of the devil.” Almost all Guatemalans agree that Halloween is a celebration of evil and refuse to partake in the event. Some elaborate that the belief can be explained by the strong religious ideals and principles of Catholicism which were brought and enforced by the Spanish. 

On the other hand, in Mexico, Halloween to Americans is known as “Dia de los muertos,” (Day of the dead) and is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. The Mexican tradition happens when the gates of heaven open, allowing the spirits of the deceased to reunite with their living family. The family prepares a feast in honor of the deceased and decorates their graveyard. Additionally, the family decorates the house with skulls. 

Those are just three examples of unique interpretations of the Halloween season, this shows that Halloween isn’t to everyone what it is to us. Different cultures celebrate Halloween differently, or don’t celebrate it at all. So, when you go out to do whatever it is you do on Halloween, take a moment to consider how other cultures may be celebrating across the globe.