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Gaya

It's almost Halloween, and while some people are figuring out their costumes, others are looking for the perfect excuse to step outside. Well, we've got something planned for you, but before we get into all that, there's something worth asking: Who actually started Halloween?

Because how did we go from an ancient festival somewhere in Europe to people dressing up as vampires, carving faces into pumpkins and watching horror movies for entertainment? And how did Halloween become something some Nigerians now look forward to celebrating?

Well, there's quite a story behind it. Strap in.

Halloween Wasn't Always About Costumes and Horror Movies.

First things first, Halloween wasn't invented by Hollywood. Oh yes, long before horror movies, elaborate costumes and Halloween parties became popular, there was an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced roughly sow-in). Samhain was observed in parts of what are now Ireland, Britain, and northern France. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.&nbsp;

But it wasn't just about the seasons changing. You see, the ancient Celts believed that around this time of year, the boundary between the living and the spirit world became thinner. In other words, they believed spirits could move between both worlds.

If you’ve ever seen the movie, Merlin, remember that part of the movie where Morgause had Morgana stab her on the concrete SLAB? It was right before Samhain and a perfect time to ‘activate the spirits’, if we can call it that. By the way, if you haven’t seen the movie, you totally should. It’s a classic. Anyways, moving on.

This belief influenced some of the customs associated with the festival, including bonfires and disguises. So yes, Halloween's connection to ghosts and everything spooky has a much longer history than the horror movies we watch today. But modern Halloween has evolved considerably from those early traditions. For many people today, it's less about ancient spiritual beliefs and more about costumes, entertainment, creativity and spending time with friends.

Interestingly, nobody can take credit for inventing Halloween. It developed over centuries through a mixture of cultural and religious influences. As Christianity spread across Europe, November 1 became associated with All Saints' Day, a Christian observance honouring saints. The evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve. And over time, that name evolved into Halloween. That's where the name came from.

As people migrated, especially from Ireland to America, they brought different Halloween-related traditions with them. These customs continued to change, eventually becoming the celebration many people recognise today. Then came films, television, celebrity culture and the internet, which helped Halloween reach audiences around the world, including Nigeria.

Okay, But Why the Costumes, Pumpkins, and Scary Movies?

You can't talk about Halloween without talking about costumes and pumpkins. And, of course, those horror movies where someone hears a strange noise and decides the smartest thing to do is investigate it alone. But where did these traditions come from?&nbsp;

Let's start with costumes. Disguises have historical connections to older Halloween-related customs and beliefs about spirits. Today, however, dressing up has become one of the celebration's most creative traditions. People dress as movie characters, superheroes, celebrities, witches, vampires and practically anything else they can imagine. And no, your costume doesn't necessarily have to be frightening. If you want to dress like your favourite Nollywood character, nobody is stopping you.

Now, the pumpkins. Those carved pumpkins with faces are called jack-o'-lanterns. Interestingly, the tradition has roots in Irish folklore, where people carved faces into vegetables such as turnips. When Irish immigrants settled in America, pumpkins became a popular alternative. And somehow, pumpkins went from being ordinary vegetables to becoming one of Halloween's most recognisable symbols.

Then there are the horror movies. Because Halloween has long been associated with ghosts, supernatural stories and spooky imagery, horror films naturally became part of modern Halloween entertainment. If you've ever watched a horror movie with friends, you know it's an experience of its own. There's always that one person who claims nothing scares them. Then the first jump scare happens, and suddenly, everybody is shouting.

But How Did Halloween Become a Thing in Nigeria?

Now, this is where things get interesting. Halloween isn't a traditional Nigerian celebration, and there's no clearly documented single person who introduced it to the country. But Nigerians have been exposed to Halloween for years through international films, television, social media and popular culture. Think about all those Halloween episodes in American series or the celebrities who appear on Instagram every October wearing elaborate costumes.

Even if you've never attended a Halloween party, chances are you've encountered the celebration somewhere. And as international entertainment culture became more accessible, Halloween-themed events began appearing in Nigerian cities too. Halloween celebrations in Nigeria didn’t start yesterday. By the 2010s, Halloween parties were already being advertised in Lagos. In 2019, for instance, Terra Kulture hosted an event called A Lagos Halloween.

Of course, not everybody in Nigeria celebrates Halloween. Some people have religious or personal reservations about it, while others simply aren't interested. But for those who participate, the attraction is often about the costumes, themed entertainment and opportunity to experience something different.

And in a city like Lagos, where there's almost always something happening, Halloween has become another occasion for creative experiences and social gatherings, which brings us back to what we've got planned this year.

You Don't Have To Dress Like a Vampire to Enjoy Halloween.

Now, before you start worrying about finding the perfect costume, let's establish something; Halloween doesn't have to look the same for everybody. Some people love dressing up. Others enjoy the decorations, games or themed parties, and some others just want to watch a good horror movie with friends and see who screams first.

If you're in that last category, we've got you covered. And even if you're not particularly interested in costumes, a Halloween-themed cinema experience might be a fun way to join the occasion. Because let's face it, watching horror movies alone at home is one thing. Watching them in a cinema full of people reacting to every unexpected scene? Now, that’s a completely different experience. Add spooky cocktails and an after-party, and you've got a Halloween plan that goes beyond simply watching a movie.

Now you know Halloween didn't begin with Hollywood, carved pumpkins or somebody randomly deciding October 31 needed to be scary. It's a celebration with centuries of history that has evolved into different experiences around the world. And this year, we're bringing you an opportunity to enjoy its entertaining side.

AFTRHRS presents Popcorn and Premieres: Halloween Edition.

Tell that friend who claims horror movies don't scare them. Send the group chat the plan you've all been waiting for. And when you're ready, head to aftrhrs.ng for event details and ticket booking (see image below for more info)

Come for the movies. Stay for the after-party. See you there.

Two horror movies, spooky cocktails, and an after-party. But before we get into our Halloween plans, do you actually know how the celebration started?

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