This celebration goes back to a practice of the ancient Druids in Britain and Celtic countries.

It honoured one of their deities, Samhain Samhain ,the Lord of the Dead

Samhaim called

together all the wicked souls who

had died within the past twelve months and

had been condemned to

inhabit the bodies of animals.

The date for this celebration was the last day of October, the eve of the Celtic new year. the eve of the Celtic new year. It was a time of falling leaves and general seasonal decay and it seemed appropriate to celebrate death. death. That’s what it was-

a celebration of death.

The Druids believed that on this particular night the souls of the dead returned to their former homes to be entertained by the living. If acceptable food and shelter were not provided these evil spirits would cast spells, cause havoc( chaos) and terror, and haunt and torment the living. They demanded to be placated.(apaciguar)

Skeletons ghosts

black cats,

witches on broomsticks

blackened or masked faces and

carrying turnip-lanterns are part of the games and paraphernalia which once had genuine life and significance

and grinning pumpkin heads,

BOBBING APPLEYou need a large bowl and some apples. Fill the bowl with water and put the apples in the water. Players put their hands behind their backs and must try to pick an apple with their teeth.