Halloween is here with us. Celebrated on October 31, this spooky holiday sees some people making elaborate plans while others choose not to partake. Halloween has fascinating origins that trace back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celtic people, who lived in present-day Ireland, Northern France, and the United Kingdom, marked their new year on November 1, a day symbolizing the end of summer and the harvest season. This cherished day also represented the onset of the dark, cold winter.
The Celts believed that on October 31, the boundary between the world of the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits and ghosts to cross over and roam freely. To honor these departed souls, they would wear scary costumes—often made of animal heads and skins—light huge bonfires, and gather to predict each other’s fate.
However, after the Celts were invaded by the Roman Empire, two Roman festivals—Feralia, a day to remember the dead, and a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees—were combined with Samhain. These merged traditions eventually evolved into what we now call Halloween. Yet, this is just one of the stories behind the holiday’s origins.
Halloween also has deep Christian roots, particularly in the All Hallows' Eve tradition. The name "Halloween" itself is derived from "All Hallows' Eve," the night before All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day. Celebrated on November 1, All Saints’ Day was set aside by the early Christian church to honor all martyrs and saints. Over time, influenced by traditions like Samhain, the church began observing “All Hallows' Eve” or “Halloween” on the night before All Saints’ Day.
Today, different modern-day Christians approach Halloween in various ways. Some churches hold special services on All Hallows' Eve, also known as the Vigil of All Hallows or Halloween. Other Christians celebrate with family and friends by hosting Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, and wearing costumes, often inspired by movie characters. Some Christians, however, choose to abstain from Halloween activities altogether, rejecting the holiday's themes.
With western influences taking root in modern Kenya, Halloween is becoming increasingly popular, especially in cities like Nairobi. Those who embrace the holiday enjoy spooky-themed parties, costume competitions, ghost tours, and haunted house events. Popular venues for Halloween celebrations include The Hub Karen, Trademark Hotel, Chateau254, and Village Market.
Each year, Halloween fashion brings new costumes inspired by popular movie characters, along with classics like the vampire with a cape, the ghost in a white sheet, and the witch with a pointy hat. Haunted houses add to the eerie atmosphere with creepy sounds, sticky cobwebs, and lurking black cats.
Kenyans are also adding a local twist to Halloween, incorporating unique decorations, themed menus, and community events. It’s incredible how a festival with such ancient roots has transformed into the fun, spooky celebration enjoyed today!