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Like it or not, Halloween has become a major annual celebration in Egypt, whether it’s international high schools throwing monster bashes or luxurious living compounds participating in trick-or-treating for kids; Egyptians seem to like it enough that they want to celebrate it every October without fail. But is it slowly becoming a reminder of our culture morphing into a watered-down, eclectic version of what it once was? Let’s explore this idea.
Where And How Did Halloween Originate
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Halloween traces its roots back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in Ireland, the UK, and northern France to mark the end of harvest and the start of winter; a time when the Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off roaming spirits.
When the Romans conquered Celtic lands, they blended Samhain with their own festivals: Feralia, honouring the dead, and Pomona, celebrating the goddess of fruit and trees, which inspired the tradition of apple bobbing.
Later, Western Christianity transformed the pagan event into All Hallows’ Eve, preceding All Saints’ Day on November 1st. As Irish immigrants brought these customs to America in the 19th century, Halloween evolved into the festive occasion we know today, filled with costumes, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and spooky fun.
The Egyptian Adaptation of The Day
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Around the early 2010s, as most people began acquiring smartphones and social media became even more accessible, Egyptians began imitating the traditions they saw Americans post on platforms like Instagram; they looked fun and attainable. A way to make an otherwise bleak time of year more enjoyable. They would throw costume parties, give out candy, and sometimes even carve pumpkins.
How It Clashes with Our Traditions
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For starters, Halloween never even had anything to do with Egyptian culture. It’s not like it suddenly makes sense to start celebrating American Thanksgiving or Indian Diwali; why is Halloween any different? Many people also believe it clashes with Middle Eastern traditions. Many also see it as a way to mindlessly mimic Western culture.
Is There Harm in Enjoying Something Fun
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On the other hand, many people argue that it is not that deep. The celebration is just a way to let off steam and to find something to look forward to during a time when schools had just started, and many have seasonal depression. Is it safe to assume that letting people continue to love Halloween won’t alter our cultural norms?
Finding A Place in the Middle
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Of course, the debate isn’t settled and won’t be anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean people can’t find middle ground on the subject. Throwing costume parties is one thing we can assume everyone enjoys, and maybe taking it slow and not going overboard when celebrating is the way to go.
