Bonfires and Fireworks

Yesterday the streets in the neighbourhood were awash with orange and black with all kinds of ghosts, vampires, witches and other scary creatures going door to door begging for sweets. I somehow got suckered into taking my two young nieces, aged 7, around. It turned into a little entourage as friends and family joined in. The local neighbourhood improvement district was quite organised, and had sent out an email to residents advising them to tie a balloon to their gate to indicate that they wished to be bothered by the spirits let loose on the night. Some of the houses had gone all out with decorations, dressed in black with skeletons, pumpkins and cobwebs.

Halloween certainly was not a day that we celebrated as children, or had even heard of for that matter. I think we owe it to globalisation and the influence of American television and movies for influencing our children thus. It is for this reason that I have largely resisted it, but got caught up in the spirit of things this year. I suppose I also have friends who live down the road to blame - they have opened up their home as a base for their family and friends to go trick-or-treating from - so all in all,  it is quite a festive time. The best thing for me is that we are taking back the streets - it is certainly not usual for our children to be roaming around the neighbourhood at night. They have fun and eat too many sweets, but also get to meet some of the neighbours and feel part of a community.

Halloween has its roots in the Celtic tradition, and over time blended with the Christian All Saints Day (which is on 1 November). It was celebrated at the end of the summer and marks the end of the lighter part of the year and the beginning of the darker part.The ancient people believed that during this time of the year, spirits were able to  pass through the world and, in an attempt to ward off evil spirits, dressed up as evil spirits themselves. As it was also the end of the summer, people gathered provisions for the long winter ahead, partied and lit bonfires.

Bonfires remind me of another celebration that is coming up in a few days - that of Guy Fawkes. When I was little we certainly celebrated that and it was even a holiday, us being part of the Commonwealth. People lit bonfires and fireworks. In much the same way as children went trick-or-treating and asked for sweets, children would go round asking for "penny for the guy". Guy Fawkes was one of a group of Catholic conspirators who tried to blow up the British Houses of Parliament 400 years ago, as they felt that the monarchy was not doing enough to stop the persecution of Catholics. Unfortunately for him he was discovered and put to death. One of the traditions was to make an effigy of Guy Fawkes and burn it on the bonfire. 

Later this week there is yet another festival celebrated with light and firecrackers - the Hindu festival of Diwali which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. It is a joyous occasion with children getting up very early to have a ritual bath and then celebrating with family and friends. People go house to house to visit relatives and friends, taking something sweet as gifts.

Quite a week then, of bonfires, fireworks, sweets - but also of connecting with family, friends and neighbours. So may you be protected from harm, bathed in light and enjoy the company of loved ones.