Halloween

The origin of Halloween dates back 2,000 years. The holiday can trace its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, pronounced "sow-in" and means "summer's end."

When Christianity began to spread across the lands, the name was changed from Samhain to Hallowmas, also known as All Saints' Day. The ritual of all Saints' Day was to honour the souls of the dead from the previous year, thereby defaulting the preceding day to be known as All Hallow's Eve or Hollantide, what we now refer to as Halloween.

Trick-or-treating is a custom for children on Halloween. Children proceed in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as sweets, or sometimes money, with the question, "trick or treat?" The "trick" is a threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given.