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Hallowe'en
Little is known about the origins of this yearly celebration, but it is generally accepted by historians that the holiday finds it roots in the ancient celebration Samhain. Samhain, or Summer's End, was a three day fire festival associated with death and rebirth. In ancient times, many cultures divided their calendar into two halves, a light and a dark.
When one gave way to another, this transition was marked by the fire celebration, which recognized the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Death and rebirth. Eventually, the celebration grew to include homage to the dead, particularly loved ones that had recently passed away.
Much of the original celebration's customs have been lost to the passing of time, but some of these traditions have managed to survive, preserved in folklore. A large bonfire was customary for any Samhain festival to welcome the new year, animals often being sacrificed thereon. Those gathered together would share in a feast, the result of their hard labor and harvest. In the way of amusement, contests and games were held, and lanterns were made from hollowed out gourds. It was popular for children to play tricks on adults, usually blaming this mischievous behavior on spirits and ghosts.
Over time the ancient celebration evolved into a more secular holiday, and the festival that was once a simplistic gathering of villagers turned into a commercialized sensation. Since before the Clone Wars this holiday has been known as Hallowe'en.
It is commonly celebrated on the Core World of Coruscant and by Ewoks on their home world of Endor, where it most closely resembles its ancient origins. Although more prevalent on these two planets, it is by no means exclusive to them. Hallowe'en has spread throughout the galaxy due to its popularity. Now a beloved holiday, people and species from all corners of the galaxy gather together on this night to celebrate the occasion, and as a result of its commercialization, many new traditions have become associated with Hallowe'en.
Hallowe'en party goers often enjoy dressing up, donning a costume to commemorate the evening. Costume stores crop up all across the galaxy around this time of year in abandoned storefronts, selling any costume or mask imaginable. From your favorite celebrity to your least favorite politician, you can be guaranteed that they have it all.
Typical Hallowe'en decor integrates Jack-o'-lanterns, bats, cats, cobwebs, ghosts, tombstones, scarecrows, and string lights. Some of these decorations, such as the Jack-o'-lantern and the bat, can trace their origins back to the holiday's ancient predecessor, Samhain. Popular Hallowe'en treats include candied apples, caramel corn, and pumpkin pie, but candy and chocolates continue to be the holiday's highest grossing treat. Many holofilms and songs are inspired by this holiday.
Hallowe'en customs and practices vary from one planet to the next and from person to person, but this ancient holiday still manages to delight children and adults alike.
When one gave way to another, this transition was marked by the fire celebration, which recognized the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Death and rebirth. Eventually, the celebration grew to include homage to the dead, particularly loved ones that had recently passed away.
Much of the original celebration's customs have been lost to the passing of time, but some of these traditions have managed to survive, preserved in folklore. A large bonfire was customary for any Samhain festival to welcome the new year, animals often being sacrificed thereon. Those gathered together would share in a feast, the result of their hard labor and harvest. In the way of amusement, contests and games were held, and lanterns were made from hollowed out gourds. It was popular for children to play tricks on adults, usually blaming this mischievous behavior on spirits and ghosts.
Over time the ancient celebration evolved into a more secular holiday, and the festival that was once a simplistic gathering of villagers turned into a commercialized sensation. Since before the Clone Wars this holiday has been known as Hallowe'en.
It is commonly celebrated on the Core World of Coruscant and by Ewoks on their home world of Endor, where it most closely resembles its ancient origins. Although more prevalent on these two planets, it is by no means exclusive to them. Hallowe'en has spread throughout the galaxy due to its popularity. Now a beloved holiday, people and species from all corners of the galaxy gather together on this night to celebrate the occasion, and as a result of its commercialization, many new traditions have become associated with Hallowe'en.
Hallowe'en party goers often enjoy dressing up, donning a costume to commemorate the evening. Costume stores crop up all across the galaxy around this time of year in abandoned storefronts, selling any costume or mask imaginable. From your favorite celebrity to your least favorite politician, you can be guaranteed that they have it all.
Typical Hallowe'en decor integrates Jack-o'-lanterns, bats, cats, cobwebs, ghosts, tombstones, scarecrows, and string lights. Some of these decorations, such as the Jack-o'-lantern and the bat, can trace their origins back to the holiday's ancient predecessor, Samhain. Popular Hallowe'en treats include candied apples, caramel corn, and pumpkin pie, but candy and chocolates continue to be the holiday's highest grossing treat. Many holofilms and songs are inspired by this holiday.
Hallowe'en customs and practices vary from one planet to the next and from person to person, but this ancient holiday still manages to delight children and adults alike.
Intent
To provide a Halloween holiday write-up for the SWRP community. Halloween is loosely established in Star Wars Legends but not in the Canon or on SWRP (at least that I could find). This write-up is a very brief and condensed history of the holiday, combining aspects of Star Wars lore with the actual holiday's origins. I believe this would be tagged as a tradition, but this is my first lore write-up, so let me know if the tag needs to be changed.
