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We're All About Italy

Culture

Italian Scary Words for Halloween

10/28/2022

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The Positano Cemetery all lit up for Oggnissanti
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Many Americans think there isn't a holiday like Halloween in Italy... but there is. On November 1st, Italians celebrate La Festa di Ognissanti, or All Saints’ Day. This is a national holiday when post offices, banks, and schools close, as well as being a Catholic holiday honoring all of the saints, martyrs and ancestors who have gone before. Italians will decorate and light up their cemeteries for Ognissanti, but in recent times they also carve pumpkins and even dress up for local festivals.

A common tradition is to for a family to visit the cemetery after a special feast, to visit the members of family passed, leaving a tray of food for them to enjoy at their tomb. This visit leaves their home empty so that the dead could come back for a short visit, but without either the living or the dead disturbing each other. Families return to their homes and the dead return to their graves after church bells are tolled.

Depending on the region of Italy, some burn bonfires and kids might do something like Trick or Treating from home to home (chanting "Morti, Morti"
) and receive treats. There are many variations throughout Italy, some even predating Halloween traditions. Many leave food out all night in case the dead want to come back home and feast while they sleep.


Here are some Italian words to tide you over during this interesting holiday...

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Una Strega - Witch
Scopa - Broom
Pipistrello - Bat
Ragno - Spider
Osso - Bone
Cranio - Skull
Grondone - Gargoyle
Spaventoso - Scary
Sinestro - Scary
Diavolo - Devil
Vampiro - Vampire
Fantasma - Ghost
Foletto - Goblin
Mostro - Monster
Lunu Mannaro - Werewolf
Frankenstein - Frankenstein
Zombie - Zombie
Mummia - Mummy
Casa Infestata - Haunted House
Zucca - Pumpkin
Jack-o-Lantern - Jack-o-Lantern
Costume di Halloween - Halloween Costume
Dolcetto o Scherzetto - Trick or Treat
Morti - The Dead


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Italians visit their family and decorate their tombs.
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