Come To The Sabbat

Hallowe’en.

The roots of Hallowe’en lie in Celtic legend. Its “celebration” used to be observed mainly in countries influenced by this Celtic tradition - the popularity of Hallowe’en in the United States can, arguably, be attributed to migrant Irish and Scots. That Hallowe’en has now become a more global occasion smacks more of commercialism than tradition.

In Mallorca, Hallowe’en is observed as it is elsewhere. There are special events. To take one example this year, La Birreria in Pollensa is holding a “Nit de Terror”. But though Hallowe’en has its specific origin, there is a strong tradition within Mallorcan and Catalan culture that affords Hallowe’en its own local flavour.

At a general level, demons and devils are familiar themes in Mallorcan folklore. Many fiestas have them as a part of their celebrations. There is the “Nit Bruixa” (witch night) in January that is perhaps the strongest expression of local demonic tradition. Yet 31 October has its own Catalan history linked to All Saints and All Souls Days. Specifically, witches are supposed, on 31 October, to pass beans they have eaten which are then buried for later consumption as a deathly potion. Trick or treat, anyone?

Tomorrow is All Saints (Hallows) Day, a public holiday, and a day of celebration that can be traced back to Pope Gregory III in the eighth century. All Saints Day is a kind of job-lot celebration - all the saints and martyrs at one go, a bit like buying a compilation album rather than getting the individual singles.

Have a ghoulish evening.


QUIZ
Yesterday - Saint Etienne, “I Was Born On Christmas Day”, which also contains this line: “Getting groovy after Hallowe’en”. Hmm, well, never said they were poets. Today - the title is a song from? Clue: think Black Sabbath, but it wasn’t them.

(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)