HALLOWEEN!
Halloween 2001 events in the SF Bay Area
History and Origins
The Celtic New YearThe ancient Celts, living in the British Isles and Normandy, celebrated a holiday called Samhain (SOW-en) to mark the end of summer. Much of the ritual we associate with Halloween began with the Celts.
The Real Origins of Halloween
Much interesting background on the Celtic celebration of Samhain, as well as the importance of the holiday to contemporary neo-pagans.
Halloween: A Brief Discussion of Its Origins and History
Exactly what the title suggests.
Contemporary Celebration
Samhain on the CauldronHow do contemporary pagans celebrate Samhain? Visit this site and find out.
Halloween Facts and Misinformation
Descriptions of the Christian holy days associate with the Halloween season. Public and religious opinion about Halloween.
Dia de los Muertos
azcentral.com/Dia de los Muertos"More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death..." Read about the history of this New World Halloween celebration in this interesting and informative site.
CLNet Folklore
Many links to Dia de los Muertos resources on the web, as well as other aspects of Chicano (Mexican-American) culture.
Oakland Museum
Each year the Oakland Museum exhibits altars and artwork by local artists during the period including Dia de los Muertos. The themes of this year's show are three "passageways" that connect the living with the dead: tradition, humor, and spirit.
Witches and Christians
Myths, Monsters and DevilsAn interesting page, written in response to Fundamentalist Christian claims that Halloween is a Satanic holiday. Lots of good early history of the holiday in Europe.
Salem Witch Trials
The Puritains, early English settlers in New England, believed in witches and their ability to harm others. Read about the hysteria which gripped the village of Salem in 1692, resulting in the trial and hanging of twenty people, and the death in prison of even more.
Ghost Stories
Edgar Allen PoePoe's poems and stories capture the feeling of Halloween better than any other writer. This nicely organized site offers many of Poe's better-known tales.
Ghosts of the Prarie
An online bookseller, offering the largest selection of books on ghosts anywhere. Scroll halfway down the page
to read articles on "Ghosts, Hauntings, the History of Ghost Research and Much More".
Halloween Ghost Stories
Lots of good reading here, including a section on urban myths of the haunted variety.
Halloween on the Web
MSN GreetingsSend a Halloween postcard to a friend at home!
Haunted Corners of the Web
Links to many web pages with Halloween themes. Are you brave enough to visit them?
Halloween Miscellany
BatsLearn more about these winged mammals associated with Halloween.
Castro St. Halloween
Photos from the 1997 Castro St. celebration, a world-famous outdoor party!
Encyclopedia of Monsters
Descriptions of monsters and supernatural beings from around the world, with some illustrations.
Jack-o-Lantern.com
Your comprehensive source for information about the history and technique of pumpkin carving.
Back to ELP Online!
Cliff Stevens
English Language Program
UC Berkeley Extension
Last updated on 10/25/01