Halloween Around the World

A traditional Japanese Halloween fixture. 
Photo courtesy of  Masae Kanno

Halloween is almost here and people more and more often ask me as an international student from Russia if Russians celebrate Halloween. The answer is: not really. It is not a traditional holiday, but nowadays clubs, shops, restaurants and other organizations love Halloween decorations, menus and costume parties. Young people, mostly students, enjoy dressing up for a Halloween party at a local bar or club and take dozens of photos with friends dressed as popular characters. Yet, there is not much of Halloween spirit  as people understand it in the United States. For example, no one decorates their houses or ever goes for trick or treats, because it is so different from Russian mentality. 

    There are several countries where people celebrate Halloween differently or have their own holiday for honoring the dead and the spirits. For example, in Japan people celebrate both Halloween and the Obon Festival in August, which lasts for a week. “We celebrate Halloween, but it is not like the U.S. because most of Japanese people are Buddhists. So, Japanese Halloween is like just a costume party,” says Masae Kanno, a Concord student from Japan, “Young people wear costumes and gather and take photos around Shibuya station. Japan has “Cosplay” culture, so they wear cute or pretty costumes more than scary ones.” The Obon Festival is a Japanese Buddhist custom for praying for the souls of the dead which was celebrated for 500 years. “It is very traditional things in Japan. During the Obon week, the souls of the dead will come back to their family’s home also. Japanese think that the dead people will be gods. So we have to welcome them with gratitude,” says Masae. During the Obon week, people travel to their family home, so they can go though the rituals of decorating and sharing the food together with their relatives. 

    Halloween in Germany is “celebrated just like here,” says Vincent Beaujean, a Concord University Student from Berlin. “Children dress up and walk from house to house and ask for candy. There are no limits if it comes to dressing up.” The tradition of celebrating Halloween got to Germany from the U.S., when Halloween migrated to Europe in the early 1990’s. Vincent has never experienced Halloween in the U.S. yet, but he believes that the only difference is the different kinds of candies. “From trying several other candies here I would say I like the German version more,” says Vincent.

    Mexico has its own version of Halloween - the Day of Dead. It is “a Mexican tradition that recalls the ancient times where the Aztecs used to praise the gods to take care of their beloved ones that once were living and now remain in the underworld,” says Alfonso Jiménez Contreras, a Concord University student from Mexico City. The Day of the Dead is celebrated on the second day of November. The celebration involves colorful parades and festivals, and family gatherings to honor the dead. “Halloween is more like a modern celebration to party and Day of the Dead is a tradition to remember our beloved ones and get connected with them with material food and drinks from this world so they can continue their journey across the underworld,” says Alfonso.  He believes that “We all should remember the ones that left us here apart from the fact that is a tradition we should do it to thank them for what they taught us (grandparents) and wish them the best wherever they are.” Alfonso likes both Halloween and the Day of the Dead, because they celebrate both back home, and “that means double candy for everyone!” 

    Many cultures have their holiday for honoring the dead, but Halloween is indeed a popular holiday in the world. Both adults and children enjoy dressing up to join the crowd. This is why it is possible that Halloween exists in many places in different forms, and it would be an interesting experience to try at least some of them.