On Monday, the Center for Campus Involvement hosted a spooky event in the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Tower on North Campus to recognize the tradition of Halloween. When the clock struck 8pm, the doors opened and so began a night of embarkments on a thrilling 15-minute ascent through the bell tower memorial. Those involved generously dedicated their time to this spectacular project and offered free admittance to UM students.
This holiday of costumes and candy, ghosts and ghouls, beasts and bonfires originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain dating back nearly 2,000 years. Autumn marked the end of bountiful summer harvest and the onset of a dark winter embodiment of human death. According to Celtic beliefs, the boundary between the living world and the dead world became unclear on October 31st, the eve of the new year on November 1st. They celebrated Samhain by lighting bonfires and dressing in costumes to ward off the ghosts that returned on this haunted evening. Supposedly, the presence of these other worldly spirits allowed Celtic priests, also known as Druids, to make accurate predictions about the future. This history led me to wonder what if spirits really do return to Earth? Since everyone is dressed in character, maybe you are unable to distinguish costumes from true beings. Or what if people like mediums really can communicate with past life to learn about the future? Just some food for thought.
I may not be a Druid, but I would predict that the Center for Campus Involvement will host an event similar to this on a future All Hallows’ Eve based on the turnout for this outstanding performance. Throughout the year, a variety of events such as the upcoming Battle of the Bands, Pixar UMix, and free finals breakfast are made possible by this organization.
History.com Staff. “History of Halloween.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2016.
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