Vocabulary
Tricks or practical jokes
Pranks
What ancient Celtic festival did Halloween come from?
Samhain
What religion later replaced Samhain with its own celebration?
Christianity
Who were the first people to dress in costumes for Halloween?
The Celts
What vegetable were the first jack-o’-lanterns made from?
Turnips
To travel or move around without a specific plan
Roam
What date did the Celts celebrate Samhain?
October 31st
What was November 1 known as in the Catholic Church?
All Saints’ Day or All Hallows Day
What were early costumes often meant to represent?
Animals, spirits, or supernatural beings
What country did the jack-o’-lantern tradition come from?
Ireland
Guesses about what might happen in the future
Predictions
What did the Celts believe happened to the spirits of the dead during Samhain?
They traveled to the underworld
What was October 31 originally called before becoming “Halloween”?
All Hallows’ Eve
What was the old tradition called when people dressed up and went door-to-door?
Mumming
What did Stingy Jack use to light his way?
A candle inside a carved turnip
Beyond what can be explained by natural laws, often relating to religon.
Supernatural
What did the Celts build to honor the spirits during Samhain?
Bonfires
What elements of Celtic tradition continued in Halloween?
Costumes, bonfires, and honoring the dead
What did people give mummers in return for their performances?
Food and Drink
When did pumpkins become the main jack-o’-lantern material?
Mid-1800s in the United States
A belief or custom that is passed down from generation to generation
Tradition
Who did the Celts believe could make predictions about the future during Samhain?
Priests (Druids)
What is the meaning of the word “Halloween”?
A shortened version of “All Hallows’ Eve”
When did trick-or-treaters start receiving candy instead of other gifts?
1950s (and candy bars in the 1970s)
Why do pumpkins make good jack-o’-lanterns?
They’re large and easy to carve into designs