Why Halloween is So Important.

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6. Mummers and Ireland = Halloween!

The Mummer tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, although the exact origin cannot be pinpointed. Mummers dressed up in disguises and visited other people either as part of Christmas festivities or in celebration of the New Year. It may have started as part of the Roman festival of Saturnalia or Greek celebrations of Momus.

The tradition was widespread and diverse throughout history. In England and Ireland, it included plays, as Mummers also performed in the royal courts of England. The Mummer’s plays reached their peak between the end of the 19th Century and the first World War in England and Ireland.

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>>The tradition was brought to the United States, where the largest celebration is in Philadelphia. Groups would go from door to door during the time of George Washington, performing in exchange for food. Now, about 15,000 dress up in Philadelphia for The Mummers Parade down Broad Street every January 1st.

http://www.funtober.com/halloween/mummers/

Read more about the Mummers in Ireland on Halloween here:

http://www.ireland-information.com/articles/irishhalloweentraditions.htm

IRISH HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS

The Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, 'All Hallowtide' - the 'Feast of the Dead', when the dead revisited the mortal world. The celebration marked the end of Summer and the start of the Winter months.

During the eighth century the Catholic Church designated the first day of November as 'All Saints Day' ('All Hallows') - a day of commemoration for those Saints that did not have a specific day of remembrance. The night before was known as 'All Hallows Eve' which, over time, became known as Halloween.

Lots of great other info. can be found at the link below:



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I know an old person from Ireland that tells of the Mummers coming around on "All Hallowtide" aka All Saints Day, to collect their dues on that sacred night in Ireland .

Said informant has relations that lived into their hundreds and has a vivid account of the Mummers coming around to their door right around the time frame mentioned -- post WWI. The family also celebrated the solstice by lighting a huge fire atop a hill and dancing around it into the depths of the night. Ah, the old Ireland I am writing of, one that barely exists today.

In any event, Halloween is not an "American" tradition as at dates to the eighth century as noted above. I'd strongly suggest that it is IRISH in origin ...