On October 31, Romanians celebrate Halloween around the myth of Dracula, a real-life early 15th century Romanian prince who also had the nickname of “Vlad the Impaler.” Sighisoara, the city where Vlad the Impaler was born, is the site of the country’s most popular Halloween festivities, which include historical reenactments of Transylvanian witch trials. The modern-day popularity of Dracula is also credited to Irish author Bram Stoker, who fictionalized the character as “Count Dracula” in his classic 1897 Gothic horror novel.
The Japanese celebrate the Obon Festival (also known as “Matsuri” or “Urabon”), which has similarities to Canadian Halloween festivities, despite being held at a different time of year (the festival is observed in July or August instead of October). Special foods are prepared and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere in honour of the spirits of deceased loved ones and ancestors. During the Obon Festival, a fire is lit nightly to help show ancestors where their families might be found. Lighted candles in lanterns are set afloat on rivers and seas, gravestones are cleaned, and dances are performed in the community.
There are not one, but two, ways of celebrating Halloween in Hong Kong. The first involves the event of “Yue Lan” (Festival of the Hungry Ghosts), and is an opportunity to offer gifts to spirits of the dead to provide them comfort as well as ward them off. The second (and more commercialized) event is celebrated by expatriate Canadians and Americans, and this is evident at attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, which host annual Halloween shows and parties.
In Mexico, Halloween is known as “El Dia de los Muertos,” or “The Day of the Dead.” The three-day celebration begins on October 31 and ends on November 2, “All Souls’ Day.” Unlike in Canada where the focus is on the spooky and scary side of the supernatural, Mexicans view this as a joyous holiday that honours deceased loved ones. Families often construct an altar in their home and decorate it with candy, flowers, as well as the deceased’s photographs, and favourite foods and drinks.
Are you dressing up for Halloween? Tell us in the comment section below about your costume and don't forget to enter my contest!
We're also celebrating the release of my new book COMES A SPECTER, Book 2, Ghostland Series This book is very appropriate for Halloween because like many of my books, it features a ghost!
About Comes A Specter
Six
months ago, Anya Fleming's ten- year-old son, Willie-boy, found his father hanging in the barn. Traumatized over his father's suicide, the boy hasn't spoken a word since. Now, Willie-boy has come down with a grave, unknown illness and there's only one man who can save him, Sutter Sky, a learned Blackfoot shaman known as Yellow Smoke—a shaman who was once deeply in love with Anya.
But
Fate had other plans for Anya and Sutter—she was forced to marry Lewis Fleming, a cruel man who berated her night and day, and brokenhearted Sutter immersed
himself in the mystical customs and beliefs of his People and became a shaman
.
As
if Anya didn't have enough to deal with after her husband's death and son's illness, an evil, sinister ghost is terrorizing their ranch. Anya is convinced
the spirit is Lewis, who apparently isn't done making her life miserable.
When she turns to Yellow Smoke for help, will he put side his bitterness and save Willie-boy? And can the renowned shaman dispel the powerful ghost from their lives and send him back to Hades?
(Don't forget to check out Comes An Outlaw, Book1, Ghostland Series when you're on AMAZON
Also features a ghost!)
Sign up for my NEWSLETTER HERE and leave your email address below to enter the contest!
You can also enter at any of these blogs (mark your calendar for future dates of the blog tour) for even more chances to win!
You can also enter at any of these blogs (mark your calendar for future dates of the blog tour) for even more chances to win!
Author Beverly Bateman – October 13
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