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The
History & Legends of
Trick
or Treating
By
Cheri Sicard
Trick or Treating The
story behind trick or treating dates back to the earliest times,
when people wore masks when droughts or diseases or other disasters
struck. They believed that the hideous masks could frighten off
the demons who brought about their misfortunes. The pagan festival
of Samhain came at a time of year when the weather was turning
chilly and the cold, envious ghosts outside were constantly trying
to trick mortals into letting them in by the fire. People who
went out after dark often wore masks to keep from being recognized.
Similar practices went
on throughout Europe. In parts of England the poor once went to
houses singing and begging for soul cakes or money. Until very
recently children would dress up as ghosts and goblins to scare
the neighbors, but there was no trick or treating. Around 40 years
ago people began to offer treats to their costumed visitors Spanish
people put cakes and nuts on graves on Halloween, to bribe the
evil spirits.
The Irish brought Halloween
to America in the 1840's although the custom of trick-or-treating
is thought to have its origins in a ninth-century European custom
called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians
would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes" made
of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would
receive, the more prayers they promised to say on behalf of the
dead relatives of the donors. It was believed that the dead remained
in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers,
would expedite a soul's admittance into heaven.
Over time the custom
changed and children became the beggars. As they went from house
to house they would be given apples, buns, and money and other
treats to insure that the ghosts or goblins didn't play tricks.
Cheri
Sicard is the editor of FabulousFoods.com, a favorite net destination
for recipes, cooking tutorials, holiday and entertaining ideas,
celebrity chef interviews, cookbook reviews and more. Sign up
for their free cooking newsletters! http://www.fabulousfoods.com
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