By Anna Xie
This map shows the different types of “trick-or-treating” traditions from all over the world.”Trick- or-treating” on Halloween is mostly practied in the U.S. and Canada. As far back as the Middle Ages, people in the British Isles would dress up in costume and go door-to-door performing tricks in order to receive food or drinks. The origin of Halloween can either be traced back to the Celtic Samhain festival or All-Saints Day (Nov. 1), a Catholic Holiday and its eve (Oct.31).
All-Saint’s Day is also known as Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. It’s based on the belief that all souls of the dead return to visit their relatives. “Calaveras”, which are the sugar skulls of this festival, are an adopted Day of the Dead tradition in the U.S. This is because there is a big hispanic population. Many traditions from Mexico and Latin America are slowly being adopted in the United States.
In fact, dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating is not just tied to Halloween. Scandinavian children do that around Easter while Northern Germany and Southern Denmark do it during New Year’s Eve. In Southern Germany, Austria Switzerland, the Netherlands and Flanders in Belgium, treats are given out for songs, which children perform on St. Martin’s Day (Nov. 11). Caroling for sweets is also practiced during Ramadan in Central Asia.