Five Whys about Halloween
Hello, everyone! At the beginning of the video I’d like to ask what you know about
Halloween.
I can’t hear your answers, but I suppose you said that Halloween is celebrated on
October 31, the jack-o'-lantern is a symbol of this holiday, people traditionally put
on costumes on this day, and children go from home to home saying ‘trick or treat’.
Of course, all of these are very common Halloween traditions. But do you know why
it is so?
In this video, we will answer five questions about Halloween traditions. I’m sure you
will understand this holiday better.
The first question: Why do people wear costumes on Halloween?
Over 2000 years ago, people known as the Celts lived on the territory of the British
Isles and Northern France. They celebrated the end of summer and harvest time on
November 1. It was the beginning of a new year.
The Celts were pagans and believed that the night before a new year (October 31)
was the time when the worlds of the living and the dead came together. Back then
people were frightened of evil spirits. They would dress up in costumes and make
noise in the streets in order to make the spirits go away.  noise in the streets in order to make the spirits go away.
The next questions are: Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31? And why
is the holiday named Halloween?
Partly, we’ve already learnt about the date, but here is some additional information.
More than1000 years ago, the Catholic Church came to the Celtic land and set
November 1 as All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day. The night before
(October 31) was called All Hallows’ Eve (the evening before All Hallows’ Day).Over
time, All Hallows’ Eve evolved into Halloween (or Hallowe’en).
Why is the jack-o'-lantern a symbol of the holiday?
This is a jack-o'-lantern which is considered a symbol of Halloween. This tradition
began with people believing that carving scary faces onto turnips would frighten
Five Whys about Halloween
Hello, everyone! At the beginning of the video I’d like to ask what you know about
Halloween.
I can’t hear your answers, but I suppose you said that Halloween is celebrated on
October 31, the jack-o'-lantern is a symbol of this holiday, people traditionally put
on costumes on this day, and children go from home to home saying ‘trick or treat’.
Of course, all of these are very common Halloween traditions. But do you know why
it is so?
In this video, we will answer five questions about Halloween traditions. I’m sure you
will understand this holiday better.
The first question: Why do people wear costumes on Halloween?
Over 2000 years ago, people known as the Celts lived on the territory of the British
Isles and Northern France. They celebrated the end of summer and harvest time on
November 1. It was the beginning of a new year.
The Celts were pagans and believed that the night before a new year (October 31)
was the time when the worlds of the living and the dead came together. Back then
people were frightened of evil spirits. They would dress up in costumes and make
 
The next questions are: Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31? And why
is the holiday named Halloween?
Partly, we’ve already learnt about the date, but here is some additional information.
More than1000 years ago, the Catholic Church came to the Celtic land and set
November 1 as All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day. The night before
(October 31) was called All Hallows’ Eve (the evening before All Hallows’ Day).Over
time, All Hallows’ Eve evolved into Halloween (or Hallowe’en).
Why is the jack-o'-lantern a symbol of the holiday?
This is a jack-o'-lantern which is considered a symbol of Halloween. This tradition
began with people believing that carving scary faces onto turnips would frighten
away evil spirits. The tradition turned to pumpkins in America because pumpkins away evil spirits. The tradition turned to pumpkins in America because pumpkins
were more common and much easier to carve. were more common and much easier to carve.

There are many legends surrounding the jack-o’-lantern and where the name comes There are many legends surrounding the jack-o’-lantern and where the name comes
from. Despite the colourful legends, the term jack-o'-lantern originally meant a night from. Despite the colourful legends, the term jack-o'-lantern originally meant a night
watchman, or a man with a lantern. watchman, or a man with a lantern.

Why do children walk from house to house and say ‘trick or treat’? Why do children walk from house to house and say ‘trick or treat’?

Some time ago, poor children in Britain and Ireland went door-to-door on All Hallows’ Some time ago, poor children in Britain and Ireland went door-to-door on All Hallows’
Eve and received food in exchange for the promise of praying for the giver’s dead Eve and received food in exchange for the promise of praying for the giver’s dead
relatives on All Saints’ Day. relatives on All Saints’ Day.

In America, trick-or-treating may have started with children trading songs for treats in In America, trick-or-treating may have started with children trading songs for treats in
the 1910s, according to some old newspaper texts. The idea entered popular culture the 1910s, according to some old newspaper texts. The idea entered popular culture
and became a part of the holiday.  and became a part of the holiday. 

As for me, I know that this holiday isn’t a tradition in my country that’s why I don’t
celebrate it. A lot of people from all over the world like Halloween just because it’s
fun. Most of them don’t even know the roots of the holiday. After watching this video,
you know more about Halloween than most people. Decide for yourself if it is close
to you or not.
As for me, I know that this holiday isn’t a tradition in my country that’s why I don’t
celebrate it. A lot of people from all over the world like Halloween just because it’s
fun. Most of them don’t even know the roots of the holiday. After watching this video,
you know more about Halloween than most people. Decide for yourself if it is close
to you or not.

jack-o'-lantern – фонарь, сделанный из тыквы jack-o'-lantern – фонарь, сделанный из тыквы

harvest – урожай pumpkin – тыква harvest – урожай pumpkin – тыква

pagan – язычник despite – несмотря на pagan – язычник despite – несмотря на

frighten – пугать watchman – сторож frighten – пугать watchman – сторож

spirit – дух promise – обещание spirit – дух promise – обещание

in order to make – чтобы заставить pray – молиться in order to make – чтобы заставить pray – молиться

saint (hallow) – святой roots – корни, происхождение saint (hallow) – святой roots – корни, происхождение

evolve into – превращаться в evolve into – превращаться в

carve – вырезать carve – вырезать

scary – страшный scary – страшный

consider – считать, полагать consider – считать, полагать

turnip – репа turnip – репа