Question

Lexile Level: 810L

In our Halloween movie, Tim talks about Samhain,
an ancient religious festival of the Celtic people of
Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. The ancient Celts
divided the year into a "dark half" and "light half."
Samhain, on November 1, celebrated the beginning
of the "dark half," or winter.
Its opposite holiday, held on May 1, was called
Beltane. This celebrated the beginning of the "light
half of the year, or summer. For Beltane, people lit
bonfires, placed leafy branches on their doors, and
decorated "May Bushes" in their yards.
You can celebrate a modern form of Beltane in
Scotland and Ireland. Edinburgh, Scotland, holds a
Beltane Fire Festival every year. And on May 1 in
Cornwall, England, there are festivals and parades.
The Anglo-Saxon people in England held festivals in May to celebrate the arrival of the "Month of Three
Milkings." Like Beltane, they often included torch light parades through the streets.
The May pole (pictured) is another symbol of new beginnings. Decorated with wreaths and flowers, they
were the center of traditional Maypole dances Many towns in Europe still have Mavnoles and still observe

Answer 1

The text covers cultural festivals related to seasonal changes, such as the Celtic celebrations of Samhain and Beltane, and the modern observances rooted in these traditions. It also explores the concept of syncretism, where different religious practices are combined, as seen in various cultural rituals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject matter in question pertains to cultural festivals and how different societies commemorate significant times of the year, particularly related to changes in seasons. The discussion points to ancient and contemporary celebrations that mark the transition from light to darkness or vice versa, and how these rituals are reflective of the culture's relationship with the environment and agriculture. The Celts celebrated the beginning of winter with Samhain and the onset of summer with Beltane. Similarly, other cultures had their own ways of observing the changes in seasons, as seen with traditions like Día de los Muertos in the Andean regions or the construction of devices like Stonehenge for the winter solstice in England.

These festivities are not only a part of historical cultures but are also present in modern times. Communities around the world continue to celebrate these traditions, adapting them to contemporary life but still keeping their essence. Such events have resulted in syncretism, the blending of different religious practices, and are evident in the fusion of Indigenous and Catholic rituals during Día de los Muertos or the use of torches and light symbolism that were common in ancient rites and persist today.