Halloween bonfires are recorded in Scotland (either side of the Highland Line), parts of Wales, and the Isle of Man. They have not been noted in the 'Celtic' areas of England - Cornwall and Cumbria. And surprisingly they are not an historical tradition in Ireland - the 19th century folklore collections make no mention of them. However, there are two areas where bonefires do occur in Ireland and they are in the Protestant North (in areas of Scottish settlement) and in Dublin (but only from the mid-20th century). Both clearly having modern origins. So, there was clearly no single 'Celtic' Halloween / Samhain fire tradition.
We in Jamaica have our guising/ mumming. We call it Jankanu it's African in origin but seems every region in the world has their version. Jamaica has a huge Irish, Welsh and Scottish heritages. My family is predominantly African from Nigeria and Congolese mixed with Scottish and Welsh heritage.
Thanks for sharing this! It's really fascinating to hear about customs and traditions that occur around the world that are very similar to others. I think it also shows that no matter where we are or where we're from, there's all things we share in common. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@colmgeiran3476 Sorry, I must have missed the part when Ireland was unified.. “The Free State” is what we used to refer to the unoccupied counties of Ireland. A lot of people in Sligo have no idea why there would be bonfires on 31st October.. but I guess they really did a number on that town didn’t they..
@@colmgeiran3476 Your comment on the Irish bonfires is interesting as the extensive 19th century folklore collections make no mention of them. But they have been recorded in two areas - Protestant NE Ulster (heavily settled by Scots - parts of Scotland having a fire tradition) and in Dublin (but only from the mid-20th century). It would appear that your bonfires are a recently created custom.
If the the purpose of adopting the 1st November as the Feast of All Saints in 835 was to co-opt the Celtic festival of Samhain why was it that prior to that date the Irish Church celebrated All Saints Day on 20th April? Clearly the Irish church felt no threat from Samhain - Ireland having been Christian for several centuries. And by 835 any thoughts of Samhain being a religious festival would have been long gone - all that remained would be folk customs and superstitions. And the 1st November was first adopted by the English and German Churches in neither region of which was Samhain ever celebrated. So, they clearly had no ulterior motives in choosing that date - the dark November northern days simply suited the sombre nature of the festival rather than the bright days of May as practiced in Rome.
Thanks for watching - this is not what I was trying to infer and apologize if I wasn't clear and it came across like that. The purpose of the video was really to point out that there were many influences, traditions and customs, some Pagan, some Christian, and some folklore, that helped lead to the modern day Halloween. Samhain was not a Christian tradition.
Wow. I can understand every single word you speak. THANK YOU!! Wonderful content. I am subscribing.
Halloween bonfires are recorded in Scotland (either side of the Highland Line), parts of Wales, and the Isle of Man.
They have not been noted in the 'Celtic' areas of England - Cornwall and Cumbria.
And surprisingly they are not an historical tradition in Ireland - the 19th century folklore collections make no mention of them.
However, there are two areas where bonefires do occur in Ireland and they are in the Protestant North (in areas of Scottish settlement) and in Dublin (but only from the mid-20th century). Both clearly having modern origins.
So, there was clearly no single 'Celtic' Halloween / Samhain fire tradition.
We in Jamaica have our guising/ mumming. We call it Jankanu it's African in origin but seems every region in the world has their version. Jamaica has a huge Irish, Welsh and Scottish heritages. My family is predominantly African from Nigeria and Congolese mixed with Scottish and Welsh heritage.
Thanks for sharing this! It's really fascinating to hear about customs and traditions that occur around the world that are very similar to others. I think it also shows that no matter where we are or where we're from, there's all things we share in common. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great information!
VERY Interesting!!!
We always have bonfires in the North of Ireland on 31st October too… it’s not so common in parts of the free state for some strange reason.
Thanks for sharing this - it's always great to hear how and where some of these celebrations occur!
The Free State? That name is nearly as old as Samhain! We also light bonfires in the south, east and west of the island of Ireland.
Thank you for adding this; it really helps to add additional context and information about Samhain traditions!
@@colmgeiran3476 Sorry, I must have missed the part when Ireland was unified.. “The Free State” is what we used to refer to the unoccupied counties of Ireland.
A lot of people in Sligo have no idea why there would be bonfires on 31st October.. but I guess they really did a number on that town didn’t they..
@@colmgeiran3476
Your comment on the Irish bonfires is interesting as the extensive 19th century folklore collections make no mention of them.
But they have been recorded in two areas - Protestant NE Ulster (heavily settled by Scots - parts of Scotland having a fire tradition) and in Dublin (but only from the mid-20th century).
It would appear that your bonfires are a recently created custom.
Guising instead of "geising" min. 6.35
It appears a word in the subtitles got away from me. Thanks for watching and bringing this to my attention :)
@@theceltichistorychannel 🩷
If the the purpose of adopting the 1st November as the Feast of All Saints in 835 was to co-opt the Celtic festival of Samhain why was it that prior to that date the Irish Church celebrated All Saints Day on 20th April?
Clearly the Irish church felt no threat from Samhain - Ireland having been Christian for several centuries. And by 835 any thoughts of Samhain being a religious festival would have been long gone - all that remained would be folk customs and superstitions.
And the 1st November was first adopted by the English and German Churches in neither region of which was Samhain ever celebrated.
So, they clearly had no ulterior motives in choosing that date - the dark November northern days simply suited the sombre nature of the festival rather than the bright days of May as practiced in Rome.
In other words, Christianity appropriated Samhain.
Are you saying Samhain is a Christian tradition and not a pagan one??
Thanks for watching - this is not what I was trying to infer and apologize if I wasn't clear and it came across like that. The purpose of the video was really to point out that there were many influences, traditions and customs, some Pagan, some Christian, and some folklore, that helped lead to the modern day Halloween. Samhain was not a Christian tradition.