These days I was roaming through the streets of Valletta and in some shop windows there were many Halloween goods for sale and thought that, maybe, those who buy them and use them do not know what Halloween is.

Halloween, or Hallowe’en, is an annual holiday on October 31. It has the origins from the Celtic festival of Samhain.

Halloween day includes activities, parties and costumes. It has twofold origins: a pre-Christian and Christian one. The Celtics, before being Christians, celebrated the New Year on Halloween day.

Among the Christians, Pope Gregory IV in 835 changed the feast of the Martyrs (All Saints) from May 13 to November 1. The feast was celebrated in honour of those who were not canonised. It was called “Hallow’s Day”. All Souls Day falls on November 2. The Church celebrates this solemn remembrance to celebrate the dead, whether canonised or not, thus calling it the Communion of Saints.

The Celts believed the souls of the dead walked through the streets of cities and villages. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil. This ensured plentiful crops for the future.

I still remember that during my childhood we used to fast on All Souls Day. Our parents told us that if we fast the souls would bring us presents and leave them under our pillow. If we did not, carbon would be received. So, when we woke up we searched under our pillow to see what the souls had given us.

In Italy, sweets and toys are left by the dead, relatives say! In Malta, sweets in the shape of a bone are made for All Souls Day.