Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) is one of the events of the year upon which the nationwide enthusiasm ascends.
The shops have been targeting consumers with Halloween decorations for months before it was appropriate - naturally.
For many, it is their favourite time of the year - trumping Christmas, Valentine’s and An Cháisc.
Halloween assimilates to Éireannaigh in the same way as St Patrick’s Day does, inspiring the nationalists within us.
A cultural holiday that originated in Éirinn and is now celebrated throughout the world.
Surviving generations - a bhuíochas (with thanks) to our ancestors who emigrated with more pride for their country than possessions in their hands.
A pagan tradition thought to be 2,000 years old, Oíche Shamhna is the night before November.
It marks the harvest’s end and winter’s beginning.
The first of Samhain (November) is often considered Athbhliain na nGael. This year, 10,000 Gael will gather ar Oíche Shamhna for Oireachtas na Samhna, as we have for over 100 years.
Oireachtas na Samhna is a féile (festival) whose timing is deeply rooted in Ireland’s ancient Celtic calendar, as the annual mass gathering of Irish language speakers echoing the traditions of our sinsir (ancestors).
Mythology tells us of the liminal space between the old year and the new one that exists on Halloween Night. The liminal space blurs the lines of the living and the dead, enabling síógaí (fairies) and spirits to cross over.
Oíche means night, and Samhain is the name of the ancient Gaelic harvest. Oíche Shamhna, so, translates roughly to the Night of the Gaelic Harvest.
And so, the English language removed the defining term from the celebration’s origin.
‘Halloween’ dates back to English and Christianity, with a sprinkle of Scots in the ‘een’.
The Oíche Shamhna we know today has a loyal reminiscence of the pagan religious customs of our ancestors.
The costumes we wear, along with the fires we light, live on from our ancestors’ attempts to scare away the spirits and ghosts. Níor cuireadh fáilte rompu. They weren’t welcomed.
For all the British attempts to eradicate the teanga (language), the Gaeilge slipped through the cracks of the English language.
Bonfires are a well-established Halloween tradition, as were bone fires of pagan times.
The etymology of the word goes like this:
Bone - Cnámh. Fire - Tine. Tine chnámh - Bonfire.
Oíche Shamhna traditions and customs change with us as we grow.
In our olders years, costumes may become a little more risque - but they once took the form of a Dracula costume under four thermal jumpers as we dusted our knuckles for Bob nó Bia (Trick or Treat).
Before things had evolved to Dracula costumes, our pagan people believed that food would appease na taibhsí (the ghosts), and so the tradition lives on, along with the costumes and bonfires, as Bob nó Bia (Trick or Treat).
So cibé feisteas a bheidh ort (whatever costume you wear), and however many apples you bob, remember that Halloween is about more than frightening the neighbours, setting off fireworks and eating your own body weight in Haribo.
It’s a celebration with a history that reaches back through generations, connecting us to the traditions, folklore and language of our ancestors.
Also don’t forget the pick and mix for the Trick or Treaters.
And if you do, keep your lights off.
Coinnigí bhur soilse muchta.
Cúpla Focal
Oíche Shamhna (Halloween)
An Cháisc (Easter)
Éireannaigh (Irish people)
in Éirinn (in Ireland)
a bhuíochas (with thanks)
Samhain (November)
Féile (festival)
Sinsir (Ancestors)
Níor cuireadh fáilte rompu. They weren’t welcomed.
Teanga (Language)
Cnámh (Bone)
Tine (Fire)
Tine chnámh (Bonfire)
Bob nó Bia (Trick or Treat)
Na taibhsí (The ghosts)
Cibé cén feisteas ina mbeidh tú (whatever costume you don)
Coinnigh do shoilse muchta (keep your lights off)