15 Strange Halloween Traditions Around The World

Though this culture is rooted in the past, the Halloween traditions are practiced currently in various societies.  Dating back to the 19th century, the Halloween was relatively obscure in the 20th century in America after being brought into the country by Scottish and Irish immigrants. These traditions are mixed with features of the Celtic and Christian holidays and it’s celebrated with divination, feasting and mischief making.

Among many Americans, Halloween is a fall favorite holiday but similar other celebrations are found in various parts of the world.  The following is a list of 15 strangeHalloween traditions around the world:

15. Portugal

The all saints day is also celebrated in Portugal. In this holiday, the children celebrate by singing songs going from door-to-door in a mission of exchanging treats.

14. Poland

Poland is another country where the Halloween traditions are also observed. They observe it as a saint’s day and celebrate it by leaving the doors open so as to welcome wandering spirits. This is a holy day, and by taking part in it people believe that they are bound to receive blessings or receive curses for those who fail to honor it.

13. Scotland

In a similar way to the way American people celebrate the Halloween traditions, children in Scotland also wear costumes and go trick-or-treating activities.  In addition, the Scottish people have a festival in Edinburgh where a fire processional and music are featured.

12. Spain

The Spanish people celebrate the Halloween traditions in their own special way. Commonly known as Dia de las Brujas, this holiday is celebrated for three days. They lit bonfires and angege in drinking a local drink known as quemadas.

11. Austria

What have you been thinking with the pumpkin fall season? If you think you are the only one who has been obsessed by the fall season, then you are wrong. Austria is a country best known for celebrating an annual pumpkin festival known as Halloween-Umzug.  It may sound awkward, but this is a season highly regarded in Austria and because of this it’s commemorated on an annually basis.

10. Mexico

If there is anything so famous in Mexico, then it’s the Dia de los Muertos festival. Normally regarded as the day of the dead, this replica festival of the American Halloween traditions is famed for its glamour. The people celebrate this festival by creating intricate altars for the dead or by simply what is known as trick-or-treating.

9. The Philippines

During the first week of every November, the people of Philippine go out in full swing to celebrate the day of “All Saints”, which is a replica of the American Halloween traditions. The Philippines have been very loyal to this holiday, and they normally regard it a special day in their national calendar. The dead are always remembered in this day and offerings are always made.

8. Belgium

Belgium is another country best known for its celebrations of the Halloween traditions. Most of the Belgium cities hold huge festivals and parades in honor of this holiday. In celebrating this festival, the Belgium people lit candles outside their homes in a move meant to appease their departed ones. This holiday is observed by almost every citizen and is done every year.

7. Czech Republic

The Halloween traditions in the Czech Republic are celebrated on November 2, where the people commemorate the Departed people by a way of celebrating. While celebrating, here, the people usually place chairs in front of a fireplace to symbolize the living and the dead relatives.

6. Italy

On the part of Italians, they celebrate the Halloween traditions by crossing the devils bridge. The bridge at Borgo a Mozzano is believed to possess evil spirits, and by crossing it on this holiday they believe that their evils are washed away.

5. Ireland

In Ireland, the Halloween tradition is celebrated in a special way in which children play “snap apple”.  The objective of this game in Ireland is to get a bite out of an overhead hanging apple.

4. South Korea

South Korea is a country full of festivals, costumes and parades. During this period of celebrating, streets are deserted and all people move out to enjoy this period. You might wonder what is happening during this day, very few people could be moving in the streets. This is the time everybody is expected to meet with others and take part in celebrating this important day in the calendar of the South Korean people.

3. Germany

Germany is another country that celebrate the Halloween traditions but in the name of “all saints day”.  Within this period of celebrating the all saints day, some participants hide their knives from their nearby spirits.

2. Cambodia

Cambodia has also not been left behind when it comes to celebrating the Halloween traditions. Here, the festivals are carried out for a period of 15 days, and they are known as the P’chum. Within this period, the people of Cambodia come with food to offer to the dead.

1. Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, the Halloween traditions are known as the Yue Lan or Hungry Ghost Festivals.

These festivals are normally celebrated in august and is done throughout 24 hours. This is the period believed that the spirits roam around freely.

As we have seen, the Halloween tradition has moved out and become an international festival. People in various cultures gather and celebrate time and superstition. Originally, coming from the ancient Celtic people, this tradition gradually got itself implanted in the American culture. Over time, the Halloween culture has evolved into a secular, community based celebration characterized by activities friendly to kids. Activities such as trick-or-treating are so synonymous with this tradition. This tradition has gone viral as several countries celebrate it in several ways with different names. People could usher in different seasons of the year by gathering together, wearing different forms of costumes, and doing some form of sweet treats.