Ignorant Aussie on Halloween

[Merinda]

Hi girls pardon my ignorance,

What is the significance of Halloween ?

All I know about it is people dressing as witches and kids trick or treating , over the past few years a small number of groups have started the trick or treating here as well .
I have no idea what the meaning to it is.

[DonnaT]

Try this site http://www.loc.gov/folklife/halloween.html

It should have answers to most questions. It's a wonder that the Aussie's don't already have the "celebration", being as it was Celtic born.

[Merinda]

Thanks for the link Donna , it was very interesting

Halloween is not part of the Aussie tradition (yet) , the first time I came across an isolated group of kids trick or treating was just over 10 years ago but 2 years ago there was a significant increase in the participation of halloween resulting in a discussion topic for talk-back radio the next day.

Last year we also had a growing following and my daughter got involved , the issue "does Australia want Halloween " was once again on talk-back radio.

The weather is sunny and warming up this weekend so the kids that particiipate will have a good time .

Well I say lets go for it Australia , if it gives me the excuse to dress up and have public contact as" Merinda Witch-et" it would be a lot of fun

[Daphne]

Thanks for the link Donna , it was very interesting

Halloween is not part of the Aussie tradition (yet) , the first time I came across an isolated group of kids trick or treating was just over 10 years ago but 2 years ago there was a significant increase in the participation of halloween resulting in a discussion topic for talk-back radio the next day.

Last year we also had a growing following and my daughter got involved , the issue "does Australia want Halloween " was once again on talk-back radio.

The weather is sunny and warming up this weekend so the kids that particiipate will have a good time .

Well I say lets go for it Australia , if it gives me the excuse to dress up and have public contact as" Merinda Witch-et" it would be a lot of fun

As a fellow Aussie, I don't see a problem with it

The big point is that Australia has basically no belief in the supernatural, Because we've inherited the early settlers dislike for the Supernatural beliefs of the Aboriginal people.......The funny thing about this, is that our biggest supernatural belief is in the the "Bunyip"(Yowie)

For our friends: A "Bunyip" is a large hairy monster, That supposedly lives in inland lakes

The whole idea of halloween really grinds with some people, As it's seen as another "American" thing that we're increasingly accepting (Sorry to our USA members ).

[DonnaT]

Actually, it has its origins in Scottish tradition known as "guizing" long before it became an American tradition.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-gui1.htm

http://www.up-helly-aa.org.uk/history.htm

[Merinda]

The big point is that Australia has basically no belief in the supernatural, Because we've inherited the early settlers dislike for the Supernatural beliefs of the Aboriginal people.......The funny thing about this, is that our biggest supernatural belief is in the the "Bunyip"(Yowie)

For our friends: A "Bunyip" is a large hairy monster, That supposedly lives in inland l.

Thanks for digging up this old thread Daphne ,

Have you ever heard of the creature in the Piliga scrub , the Piliga scrub is a large forest area ( over 100 square km I think ) between Coonabarabran and Narabrie in NSW with the Newell Hwy running through.

Once dark you do not stop your car along the side of the road there , it was reported many years back of a broken down tourist bus full of passengers witnessed a hairy ape like creature about 10ft high terrified passengers as it rocked the bus.

There have been various sightings before and since but locals will say not to stop along there after dark

[Violet]

All Hallows Eve is of course the high-watermark of any good Goth's year, one of the few times when pageantry and costume are not just accepted but encouraged, it's our night to shine! Hit the Goth clubs on Halloween Night to see the most elaborate and frigtening monsters in existence. We just *love* to play dress-up and look extra spooky. And Halloween is the perfect excuse to CD in public, no matter how 'passable' you might consider yourself. And Halloween is hardly an 'American' holiday, though American consumerism may be well-tied in with its popularization in its current, secular, 'child-safe' form. Honestly, it's all just about having a good time and spending a bit of time with your darker side exposed.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Merinda,

I gave out candy last Halloween. And it was kinda funny because a lot of the people who came to my door were strangers, and just assumed I was dressed up for Halloween. I found it somewhat entertaining and look forward to the reactions next year.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Daphne]

The big point is that Australia has basically no belief in the supernatural, Because we've inherited the early settlers dislike for the Supernatural beliefs of the Aboriginal people.......The funny thing about this, is that our biggest supernatural belief is in the the "Bunyip"(Yowie)

For our friends: A "Bunyip" is a large hairy monster, That supposedly lives in inland l.

Thanks for digging up this old thread Daphne ,

Have you ever heard of the creature in the Piliga scrub , the Piliga scrub is a large forest area ( over 100 square km I think ) between Coonabarabran and Narabrie in NSW with the Newell Hwy running through.

Once dark you do not stop your car along the side of the road there , it was reported many years back of a broken down tourist bus full of passengers witnessed a hairy ape like creature about 10ft high terrified passengers as it rocked the bus.

There have been various sightings before and since but locals will say not to stop along there after dark

I haven't personally heard of it Merinda?, But there's supposedly everything from "Giant Ape" creature's to giant Cat's Lurking around in Australia.

It's all a good campfire tale, If you ask me?

[Merinda]

It's all a good campfire tale, If you ask me?

I would call it an urban myth but its rural

[Daphne]

It's all a good campfire tale, If you ask me?

I would call it an urban myth but its rural

A rural urban myth maybe?

[Violet]

Or maybe a rurban myth.

[Beauty]

Or maybe a rurban myth.

!!tongue!!