прежде всего кельтов живущих в Ирландии:
Samhain, as most people understand, was one of the four great seasonal events celebrated by the Celtic and pre-Christian inhabitants of this island (along with Imbolc, Lughnasagh and Bealtaine).
Historically, Samhain marked the beginning of dark winter months and the end to harvest time, and the evidence suggests that the festival was also a time to celebrate and remember the dead.
There are frequent references to Samhain in Old Irish Literature – in the Macgnímartha Finn, Táin Bó Cúailnge, The Annals of the 4 Masters and The Tochmarc Eimire to list a few.
The mix of ancient Celtic and mediaeval Christian traditions has merged to shape the holiday we recognise today as Halloween.
The festivities and customs we observe today at Halloweeen – trick or treating, costumes etc. – began to spread and were gradually adopted and celebrated by those of all faiths and none.