Similar to Día de los muertos traditions in Mexico, people in Galicia often go to cemeteries on Samhain to decorate their loved ones’ gravestones with flowers and foods that these individuals enjoyed during their lives.
Magosto is usually celebrated on November 11th, though its date can change. Before the potato and corn were introduced into Galicia, the castaña (chestnut) was the primary dietary staple and nutrient source for the Galician population. Magosto celebrates the collection of all of the chestnuts that have fallen, which are then roasted, peeled, and eaten, often accompanied by wine and chorizo. It is a day of community celebration, often including singing of traditional songs, story-telling, dancing and traditional games. It is also tradition to spread some of the ash from the fires on your face!
At my school, we combined these two traditional celebrations into one (Samagosto). This was my first time eating chestnuts! They were softer than I was expecting, and taste fairly plain. I also spread some soot on my face, which I unfortunately did not capture in a picture. The kids were all dressed up in their costumes, which made the day even more exciting. And we had a competition to determine the best carved pumpkin, some of which were very elaborate and impressive.
As I mentioned above, Samhain is a traditional Celtic pagan festival dating back at least several hundred years. Though this region of Spain later became largely Catholic, the tradition has continued, and this is now a day of feasting, celebrating the region’s history and getting together with friends and family.
