Halloween is a known worldwide event normally celebrated on 31 October. Kids go trick or treating for candy and everyone dresses up in costumes and parties the night away.
Then there is Eid il-Burbara or Saint Barbara's Day which is a holiday annually celebrated on December 4 among Middle Eastern Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Turkey. The general belief among Lebanese Christians is that Saint Barbara disguised herself as many different characters to elude the Romans who were persecuting her.
So why is our tradition being confused with Halloween? Why is it that we are forgetting our own traditions and replacing them with western ones?
Sure Halloween gets more attention, however let's not forget our traditions and let us continue to celebrate Berbara!
You get to wear silly masks too... but you also get to eat a whole bowl of boiled wheat grains, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise and sugar! There's a lot more sweets like fried dough that is filled with walnuts or cheese (2atayef). Children go trick or treating while singing a special song for Eid il-Burbara.
Moreover, Halloween decorations, such as jack-o - lanterns, can be seen which is funny and adds to the
confusion.
Finally, let me knock at your door and get you all nostalgic with this song:
هاشلي بربارة مع بنات الحارة، عرفتها من عينيها ومن لفتة إيديها ومن هاك الإسوارة
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