How did “trick or treating” become part of the Halloween tradition?
It comes from the festival of Samhein. During which, the veil between the human and supernatural worlds was parted and spirits, both good and evil, roamed the earth. And the souls of the dead were thought to return to their homes and families would put out food and drink for their ghostly visitors in hopes of appeasing them and warding off misfortune. ‘Trick or treating’ is the imitation of the ancient rituals of Samhain.
