 The Positano Cemetery all lit up for Oggnissanti  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...  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  Italians visit their family and decorate their tombs. |
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