Emporiblog - History of Trick or Treating
Have you ever wondered why we say "Trick or Treat" or go Trick or Treating on Halloween? I have and now I'm going to find out why!
The exact origin of Trick or Treating is not definite, however, Trick or Treating has it's roots in Ancient Celtic festivals, 17th century British Politics and medieval history!
Ancient Celtic Origins
As most of you know, Halloween is an incarnation of the Celtic Festival Samhain. It was during Samhain that participants would don costumes made from various animal skins to friva away unwanted and evil spirits. Feasts and banquets were held and designated food was set aside and away to pacify the unwanted spirits who refused to leave.
Early Christian and Medieval Origins
During the 9th century, Christianity was beginning to take over the Celtic territories where it eventually turned the Celtic festivals and holidays into the holidays we recognise today. At some point in the year 1000AD, the church proclaimed that the 2nd of November would become All Souls' Day. This was a time to honour the dead with similarities to Samhain, including bonfires and donning costumes. The poorer people in the community would visit the houses of the wealthy and receive Souls Cakes, in exchange, the poor would then promise to prey for the deceased of the wealthy. This practice was known as Souling and would later be adopted by the children of the poorer families who would then go from door to door and beg for food, money, ale and other gifts.
The youth of Scotland and Ireland took to a custom called Guising, which consisted of dressing up and going from door to door and accepting gifts. But, instead of promising to prey for the deceased, they would sing songs, recite poems, tell jokes or perform other sorts of skits or tricks before they would collect their treats which where normally coins, nuts, fruits and the like.
As the centuries progressed, people began to wear costumes that represented malevolent creatures in which to perform antics in exchange for food and drink. This was known as Mumming and had evolved from customs in the Middle Ages which thought to be the most likely precursor to the Trick or Treating of the present day.
Associations with Guy Fawkes Night
Modern Trick or Treating also shares some similarities with traditional Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. In 1605, Guy Fawkes was part of the Catholic conspiracy known as the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament to remove the Protestant King James I from the throne. On what would become Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night, children would wear masks, carry effigies of Fawkes to be burned and askask for "a penny for the Guy".
The Phrase "Trick or Treat"
The earliest known uses of the phrase Trick or Treat come from the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In the days after Halloween, local papers used variations of the phrase Trick or Treat to describe the festivities of year's previous Halloween nights in 1923 and 1924. The phrase became more popular in 1951 when it was used in a Peanut Halloween comic strip and again in 1952 when Disney published a Donald Duck cartoon called "Trick or Treat" staring Donald and his duckling nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Bonus
There is no age limit to Trick or Treating. Let people have fun and dress up! Also don't be mean to people who don't say Trick or Treat. A lot of children/people find it hard to talk to strangers for a variety of reasons and the person who isn't speaking might also be deaf. Just put some sweets/candy in their bucket and let them get on with their night!
Double Bonus
Parents and people who will be incharge of chaperoning, if you have someone in your Trick or Treating group or a child that finds it hard to speak or is deaf, give them a little sign or card to hold up with the words Trick or Treat on it or paint it on their bucket so they can hold it up!
I hoped you've enjoyed learning about Trick or Treating with me! Be sure to look out for tomorrow's special Flora Friday!
Blessings and keep your black Cats and pets inside!
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