Ghost in Culture: Western Halloween vs Vietnamese Month of Ghosts

Halloween decorations at Hang Ma Street, Hanoi (Photo: Viet Anh)

Origin

Halloween originated about 2,000 years ago with the Celtic celebration of Saint Samhain, who rules over the souls of the dead, and has the power to allow the souls to meet their families.

On this occasion, Celtic monks or priests would predict the future of people in the area. Therefore, on Halloween night, every house turns off the fire so that the devil cannot enter. Citizens and priests would gather around the fire to listen to the astrological prophecy. The Celtic people also mark the end of the crop and the beginning of winter on Halloween. They believe that on Halloween when the door of hell opens, the boundary between life and death becomes blurred. Therefore, they dress up as ghosts to scare away dead souls.

When Saint Patrick came to the Celtic region, the Saint Samhain festival was less celebrated. Later, churches altered the festival to a Christian-influenced ceremony. In the 8th century, Pope Gregorius III moved All Hallows' Day from May 13 to November 1. Therefore, people celebrate Samhain and all the saints of the church, therefore it is called Halloween.

Many versions of the origin of Ghost Month can be found in Vietnamese culture. Bui Xuan My wrote in his book "Worshiping customs of the Vietnamese people": "According to traditional beliefs, on the full moon day of the seventh Lunar month, dead souls in the underworld are forgiven for one day. Therefore, families make a table full of food to worship their ancestors. They burn joss papers and pray for the dead so their souls would not disturb alive people."

Some opinions suggest that Ghost Month has its origins in Taoism: In the seventh lunar month, the god of hell opens a gate for the spirits to return to the earth. Therefore, people extend their compassion by offering porridge, and rice to the hungry ghosts, hoping the souls would not scare alive people.

Masquerade are held during Halloween (Photo: Thai Ngoc My Linh)

Tradition

Halloween is a holiday of ghosts and prophecies. Besides popular activities such as dressing up, carving pumpkin lanterns, and setting fires to ward off evil spirits, Westerners participate in other fortune-telling activities such as trying Barnbrack - a fruit cake hiding items such as coins (symbols for a prosperous year), or rings (symbols for a happy year). In some countries, couples throw coals into the fire to foresee their relationships.

Halloween comes in the apple harvest season, so many apple-related activities are held on this holiday, such as apple peeling contests, and apple bobbing. Many believe that whoever has the longer apple peels will have more luck and happiness.

Regarding Vietnam's Month of Ghosts customs, it is written in a book named "Worshiping customs of Vietnamese people" published by Culture and Information Publishing House that "Tet Trung Nguyen is held on the full moon day of the seventh lunar month, also known as the Day of Pardon. Many people leave food in the yard or doorstep to offer the wandering and hungry souls. Their offerings include rice cakes, popcorn, corn, sweet potatoes, and boiled eggs."

"The offerings for the homeless souls also include porridge, rice balls, fruits, and cakes. When the ceremony is finished, the poor and the young take the food," wrote Bui Xuan My, author of the book.

People wear a rose on their chest as an activity in Vu Lan (Photo: Plum Village)

Ghost Month vs Vu Lan Festival

According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Vu Lan, the filial piety ceremony, is one of the main Buddhist holidays held on the full moon of the seventh lunar month. The festival originated from a Buddhist legend: "The Great Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother from Hell". Maudgalyayana's mother was sent to hell after her death, due to her lavish and atheistic lifestyle. To save her soul, Maudgalyayana followed Buddha's words: "On the full moon day of the seventh month, hold a festival... On this day, you make offerings to the buddhas, then your mother will be saved from suffering." Since then, Buddhists have maintained the tradition, making every full moon day of the seventh lunar month Vu Lan, the ceremony of filial piety.

Vu Lan coincides with Vietnam's Amnesty for the dead. According to Hoang Trieu Hai, Director of CRPAOA, on Amnesty for the dead, the hell's gate is opened so that the soul could freely return to earth. While Vu Lan is a ceremony to show respect to parents, the rituals on the Day of Atonement show humanity, a spirit of sharing with helpless souls.

Young people enjoying the Halloween atmosphere at Hang Ma Street (Photo: Viet Anh)

How young Vietnamese celebrate Halloween?

Unlike Western countries where Halloween is widely celebrated, in Vietnam, Halloween is more of an opportunity for young people to gather for a chat or take on new experiences.

Tran Duong, 19 years old, a student at Thuong Mai University said: "For me, Halloween is a time for interesting and special experiences. This year, I and my friends plan to visit Hang Ma - the street that sells Halloween decorations. I also want to join masquerade events, wearing superhero costumes."

Although not a traditional Vietnamese holiday, Halloween is an opportunity for many clubs, centers and schools to organize exciting events for young people. Ngoc Anh, a member of the English Club, Thuong Mai University, said that this year, the club would hold a Halloween-themed activity. "We will learn vocabulary related to Halloween, and join some activities like dressing up and singing Halloween songs. I'm looking forward to participating in the activity and hope members of our club will have a very happy holiday."

Though busy with her work, Thu Hien, 25, an office staff, still finds time to prepare small gifts for Halloween. "Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Vietnam, especially among young people. Even in my group of friends, a few years ago people didn't talk much about Halloween, but this year everyone is excited. Everyone has set up their plans for this occasion. For me, Halloween is an interesting holiday with a completely different atmosphere, decoration, and fun. The more widespread this holiday in Vietnam is, the more it shows the integration of the country in terms of culture. In addition, this is also an opportunity for friends and relatives to gather and have some interesting experiences together."

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