Traditions practiced around the world

Kristy Maydwell

 

Imagine there are evil spirits in your house, called Larvi.  It is the day of the Feralia Festa.  The master of your house quickly stuffs his mouth full of fava beans and spits each bean, one by one, over his shoulder.  The Larvi swoop down, snatch up the beans, and leave your house.  Then all the doors and windows must be closed with special prayers, so that the Larvi could not come back in.

 

If you had lived in Italy, you would have partaken in this ritual or something like it on Feb. 21, the day of the Feralia Festa.  This is the day in Italy somewhat like the Americanized Halloween, but still very different.  Kids did not run around asking for candy.  It is a day to make afterlife more comfortable for the spirits of good ancestors, and to prevent bad spirits from harming you or your family.   On this day, food and flowers were left at gravesites and wine was actually poured into small, built-in openings of graves of good ancestors.

 

In Italy today, there are bean flour cakes and soups that are given in exchange for a prayer.  Bean candies are sugary and nutty.  They are referred to as “ossa dei morti,” or bones of the dead.  This is to serve as a reminder of those who have passed away.

 

People in Britain also make food on their Halloween.  Soul cakes are made to welcome friendly spirits. 

 

Children go around to their neighbors’ houses and receive soul cakes, celebrating their Halloween much like the United States does.

 

Superstitions are also big in Britain.  It was said that elves rode on the backs of the villagers’ cats.  It was believed that the cats enjoyed it, but the villagers locked up their cats so that the elves couldn’t catch them.  They used beets instead of pumpkins to make “punkies.”  They carve out a design in the beet and carry them through the streets, singing the “Punkie” night song.  Then they go to houses and ask for money. 

 

Halloween is celebrated in many different countries in many different ways.  Traditions are unique and have different meanings.