Halloween Around the World: How Do Different Countries Celebrate Halloween?

Just how popular is Halloween? Although it has Celtic roots, Halloween is celebrated in various forms all around the world.

According to The History Channel website, Halloween originated from a Celtic festival, known as Samhain. Halloween was known as Hallows Eve, because it took place on the day before All Saint's Day, which is Nov. 1. That time of year marked the end of harvest and was often associated with deaths. The Celts believed that on Hallows Eve, the world of the living and the dead were indistinct.

Well, many countries of the world appoint certain days for commemorating the dead, and each country has its own way of celebrating that day.

For example, do the children go trick-or-treating for Halloween in Sicily, Italy? According to information from jackolanterns.com, they do something different. On Nov. 1, the children believe that while they are asleep, the dead will rise from their graves and leave candies and gifts for them for All Saint's Day. The following day, Nov. 2, is All Soul's Day, when Italian cooks make almond-flavored biscotti into shapes that resemble bones.

Austria is another European country that recognizes Halloween by leaving bread, water and a lit lamp on a table before bedtime, according to information from novareinna.com. This ritual was practiced in order to welcome the dead back to earth. In Germany, they put away their knives as to not harm the spirits during their return. According to information on halloweentime.net, Halloween was celebrated in Czechoslovakia by putting chairs by the fireside: one chair for each family member, and one chair for each family member's spirit. Also, to remember the dead, they eat cake and drink cold milk "to cool the souls roasting in Purgatory".

Festivities similar to Halloween are celebrated in various countries in the vast continent of Asia. India has a Hindu ritual called Mahalaya. According to the online magazine, Inspiration Line, Sept. 27 is the day to celebrate the return of the spirits of those who dies in the region of Yama, and it's the last day of Aswayuj, a sacred time for making offerings to the dead in the Hindu religion. At night, the Hindus pray to the Goddess for help against evil demons, bathe in the Ganges River, and pray for deceased relatives. The best foods are also offered to the dead as an important part of the ritual.

Thailand is another Asian country that has a festival for the dead called Phi Ta Khon. According to Inspiration Line, it's actually a parade procession that begins in the city of Dan Sai, on the first day of the Buddhist holiday called Boon Para Wate. It takes place during May, June or July. Young village men dress up as ghosts and recite the story of Buddha's last reincarnation while making fun of the other villagers.

According to novareinna.com, China has Teng Chieh, or Ghost Festival, during which the people place food and water in front of pictures of deceased family members, and light lanterns so that the spirits will have a lit path to travel the earth. Buddhist worshippers burn paper boats during the night, to free the "petras", which are the spirits of those who have died from an accident or drowning, and their bodies have never been buried. These spirits are seen as dangerous among the living.

The Halloween concept is even practiced in the continent of Africa. Nigeria has a festival known as the Odo Festival, to celebrate the return of the dead. According to jackolantern.net, the festival has three stages: ritual celebrations and festivities to welcome returning spirits, the spirits' six-month stay, and the spirits' emotional departure. There are also odo plays that depict different characters played by men in costumes, while the women sing in the chorus.

Other countries that celebrate Halloween are Hong Kong, Japan, Guatamala, and Mexico has a holiday known as "El Dias de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) that lasts three days, beginning on Oct. 31.