Trick or treat?

 

Of all the holidays being celebrated around the world, I think Halloween amuses me the most.

See ehn, I don’t think the Westerners understand from an African Christian perspective just how much this sort of holiday is considered taboo.

I mean, why on earth would you be celebrating a “haunted” holiday with ghosts, witches, graveyard monsters, and spirits. Accompanied by actively encouraging kids to go about in scary costumes requesting treats from strangers????

Basically, everything our darling African moms warned us about while growing up. lol… You can imagine having a celebration of Ogbanje, Mami water, e.t.c😱😱

I believe it originated from a celebration which was dedicated to remembering the dead. Another origin story was that it was an ancient Celtic festival celebrated at the end of the harvest season. People believed it was a time when spirits could enter our world and damage crops. People all over the old countries would prepare feasts, with places set at the table to make spirits feel welcome, and bonfires lit to keep away unwanted ones.

Africans have been traumatized for generations with our own version of voodoo, juju, babalawos and the like and all these have been ingrained in us from a young age. It’d be a laughable suggestion to dedicate a whole holiday reason for them.  It’s very funny seeing some reactions to the Halloween celebrations from Naija parents over here abroad. i recall the way aunty Ngozi’s face changed when Nadine was talking about celebrating…lmao…biko don’t bring that kind of talk in this house. We are covered by the blood of Jesus!!

Here however, it’s a big deal and a billion-pound industry with every shop cashing out big time from sales of Halloween costumes, sweets, props, toys, and Cinemas raking in cash from Halloween movies and so on. Different strokes I guess.

For me personally, Its actually endearing seeing all the ongoing preparations and decorations. I’ve always been indifferent about stuff like this and I think that, for the most part, my mentality mirrors that of the white people with regards to all things spooky and scary. I don’t understand it but I’ll accept it anyway. I mean what exactly is a hollowed-out pumpkin on your doorstep supposed to mean?

In any case, we’ve stocked up on some sweets in the unlikely event of trick or treaters showing up at our doorstep.

Have a happy Halloween.