Archive for June, 2007
Scholars actually know very little about ‘Samhain.’ These ancient Celtic rituals are rife with beliefs, and the festivals and celebrations tie into these beliefs. ‘Samhain’ can be the beginning of the Celtic year, when farmers brought their livestock in from the fields. Shelters were built for winter and new laws passed at this time. Bonfires and feasting were rampant and individuals burned offerings of fruit, vegetation and animals for blessings from the gods.
‘Samhain’ was a time of transitioning when battles were fought and fairies cast spells. The natural world and supernatural world intermingled and the Celts believed the dead walked among the living. Visits from the dead occurred according to Celtic lore, and scholarly individuals believe these were the roots of Halloween.
‘All Saints’ and ‘All Souls’ Days date back to pagan customs, when Celts survived Christianity. In the early 800s, November 1 became ‘All Saints Day’, and 200 years later, ‘All Souls Day’ was added. Prayers for family and friends that were deceased became common, and lanterns burned for ancestors and food was placed out for the dead. Different regions of Europe had different customs and people of Wales put white stones near Halloween fires, to see if the stones moved at night, suggesting that individuals would then live another year.
A good time to play this game is when your guests arrive.
It’s basically a game between 2 players each holding a spoon.
Both spoons hold a lemon
What you try to do is knock off your opposition’s lemon while keeping yours on the spoon
The winner goes to the next round with the next player. So it’s a knockout game and a great party warm up
party games
Technorati Tags: party games
Halloween in the United Kingdom and Ireland is a family tradition. Cabbages, apples, potatoes and nuts as well as oats are celebratory foods. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland still host games, wear disguises, and use trickery in celebrations, but children are now encouraged towards politeness by saying, “Anything for Halloween” rather than “Trick or Treat!” Fireworks are also prevalent in Canada and Ireland.
Deceased loved ones graves are visited in Europe, on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, interspersed with the frivolous activities. European cities have large celebrations as do Australia and New Zealand and Halloween parties abound to cater to tourists.
Halloween is not accepted everywhere, however. China remains suspicious of the frivolity, and in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) although celebrated with food and drink is not a traditional Halloween. Spanish Catholic beliefs here are combined with Native American traditions. Italy and Poland regard Halloween that does not relate to their cultures, and children don’t celebrate it often.
