With an inclination towards different cultures, our society has become heterogeneous especially when it comes to adoption of western activities. Several parties and activities related to Halloween have been conducted lately in Pakistan. Ranging from shopping malls to the markets of big cities, different brands offer discounts for Halloween, celebrities throw Halloween-themed parties even offices were having such parties. All of us are getting indulged in such activities as if we were celebrating it like forever.
Halloween basically was started in North America, brought by Scottish and Irish during the 19th century. It is celebrated on the 31st of October and also on the 1st of November. These two days were specifically dedicated to the dead’s and to the departed souls. According to some theories, it is also said that it is influenced by the Paganism while some academicians thought that Halloween was solely began as a Christian holiday.
Trick or treat:
This is a customary celebration on Halloween day especially for the kids. To celebrate this theme, children get themselves adorned with a scary avatar and go home-to-home asking for sweets or candies or anything may be even money sometimes. They usually ask a question, “Trick or treat?” If one does not give them any treat then the kids are allowed to play a trick which actually implies to a threat that they can do any mischief with the house owner or give any harm to him or his property.
Guising:
This is also a customary part of Halloween celebrations. People disguised themselves into evil and scary looks. They also put on the costumes of the witches, ghosts and devils.
Haunted attractions:
Haunted attractions are created at such venues to make the people freaked out. The first Halloween haunted house was created in 1970 in Ohio.
Halloween is purely an alien concept to our culture but we tend to accept foreign norms and customs. Setting aside our cultural values, we are getting ourselves more accustomed to western traditions, leaving behind our rich social and religious culture.
We, as Pakistanis, are so rich in celebrating days and occasions that if we tend to celebrate each event to their fullest, we have left with no time to observe western festivities.
Many social media influencers and celebrities are also seen celebrating Halloween, hence indirectly inciting their followers to adopt such traditions and festivities.
But the question to be noted here that what actually we are teaching to our youth? Whether allowing our youth to get indulged in such western celebrations or stick to our roots and values. The responsibility lies on every single individual to propagate our own cultural identity to the world. There are many examples in the world that those nations prosper that feel proud on their culture and stick to their grounds.
Like highlighting social issues and presenting them in an approachable manner.
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Well explained!!
Very well explained, portrayed with basic issue and a excellent effort to get attention on our norms, custom and beliefs.
I really appreciate you for pulling everyone on this issue and getting this to me so quickly so I have time to review it.
Great, well elaborated.