Italy has a number of old traditions tied to autumn, particularly around All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti) on November 1st and All Souls’ Day (Commemorazione dei Defunti) on November 2nd. Many of them share similarities with traditional Halloween festivities and also with the Mexican Día de los Muertos, as they all honor the dead, include ritualistic meals, and often feature elements that echo the spookiness and symbolism associated with death. Let’s take a look at some ancient traditions from different regions of Italy that bear striking similarities to customs we may be familiar with, also on our side of the pond.
Puglia – carved pumpkins and rituals for the dead
In Puglia, particularly in the area of Orsara di Puglia, a centuries-old tradition of pumpkin carving exists, which is notably similar to the American custom of making Jack O’Lanterns. The practice also mirrors the light symbolism we find in the Día de los Muertos, where candles guide the spirits back to the living world. In Orsara, on the night between November 1st and 2nd, the locals carve pumpkins (zucche) and place candles inside them to guide the souls of the departed. Known as Fucacoste e Cocce Priatorje, this celebration sees the streets illuminated by these carved pumpkins, while families gather around bonfires to remember their deceased loved ones.
Calabria – coccalu di muortu and the quest for treats
In Calabria, especially in rural villages, a hauntingly similar tradition to Halloween’s trick-or-treating can be found. The tradition, known as coccalu di muortu, literally translates to “skull of the dead:” during this celebration, children walk from door to door, holding carved turnips or pumpkins with lit candles inside, while they chant “Mi lu dai lu coccalu?“, meaning “Will you give me a skull?” With the sentence, similar to asking for candy in exchange for sparing someone from a Halloween trick, the coccalu di muortu mixes the playful aspects of interacting with the supernatural with a deeper respect for the dead.
Sardinia – su mortu mortu and celebrating the Dead
On the island of Sardinia, we find a tradition similar to Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, the su mortu mortu. This practice involves creating elaborate altars in homes and cemeteries, much like the ofrendas seen in Mexico. Families then set out food and gifts for the souls of their deceased relatives, with children dressed in old clothes visiting houses asking for treats, often reciting phrases like “Mi donai is animas?” (“Will you give me something for the souls?”). The resemblance to the Mexican Day of the Dead is striking, particularly in the attention given to the preparation of altars (lughus de is animas), the offering of food, and the idea of interaction between the living and the dead. This is a celebration of death that views it not much as an end but as a connection between two worlds, and a continuation of life.
Sicily – u cannistru and gifts for the dead
In Sicily, the tradition of u cannistru focuses on honoring deceased ancestors by giving gifts to children. On the night of November 1st, children believe that the spirits of their dead relatives return to leave gifts in a basket (cannistru), which usually contains frutta martorana (marzipan fruits) and other sweets. The following day, children wake up to discover their gifts, believing they have come from the souls of the departed.
Naples – the ghostly legend of o’munaciello
Naples is known for its supernatural folklore year-round, but the traditions around All Saints’ Day have a particularly spooky flavor. The most famous supernatural figure tied to this period is the o’munaciello, a mischievous spirit or ghost often portrayed as a small monk. Neapolitans believe that he can either bring good luck or cause trouble, much like the trickster spirits associated with Halloween. People typically leave offerings or food to appease him, hoping for blessings instead of curses. Don’t o’munaciello’s naughtiness and penchant for trickery make you think of trick or treating and the funny, irreverent side of Halloween?
Tuscany – la notte delle lumere and processions of light
In Tuscany, particularly in the area around Pisa, the tradition of la notte delle lumere (the night of the lanterns) closely resembles Halloween’s tradition of lighting up the night with candles and carved pumpkins. On the night of October 31st, the streets are filled with candlelit processions, where locals carry lanterns made from carved pumpkins or gourds, lighting the way for the souls of the dead. Similar to Halloween’s Jack O’Lantern traditions, the act of illuminating the night symbolizes warding off evil spirits while also guiding the souls of the deceased back to their families. This tradition, like the others, reflects the belief that this time of year is when the barrier between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, a concept shared with many cultures around the world.
Italy’s many traditions connected with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day demonstrate that, while Halloween may be seen as an imported holiday, similar rituals and celebrations have deep roots in the country’s own culture; each of these practices reminds us that even in different parts of the world, we often show our love and connection with the departed in the same way, a way at times fun and at times spooky, but always filled with affection.
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