“KNOT a DAY” SDGs starting from Halloween

October 31st (Sunday) is Halloween! Have you already decided how you will spend your time? Halloween in Japan these days may give the impression that it is not environmentally friendly, with people gathering in the city center and a lot of garbage being generated as a result.

However, Halloween was not originally an event where people gathered and made a lot of noise. So this time, I would like to review the origins of Halloween and think about how to spend Halloween in a sustainable manner.

【table of contents】
・Origin of Halloween
・Halloween around the world
・How to enjoy a sustainable Halloween
·summary

origin of halloween

Halloween began about 2000 years ago. It is said that this festival was started by the ancient Celts in BC. In ancient Celts, the new year started on November 1st, so the night before, October 31st, was considered New Year's Eve.

This day is also known as Obon in Japan, as it is believed that the spirits of ancestors return to this world. However, unlike Obon, it is said that evil spirits other than the spirits of ancestors also appear, and costumes are said to have originated from people trying to protect themselves by dressing up as devils, witches, etc.

Furthermore, the Celts also held a ``harvest festival'' on the same day, so Halloween was like ``New Year's Eve,'' ``Obon,'' and ``Autumn Festival'' all happening all at once. Although it has been a big festival since ancient times, it was a festival with religious and cultural significance as a way to mourn the dead and give thanks for the harvest.

halloween around the world

Halloween, which began with the Celts, has spread to various parts of the world and has changed into various forms to reflect the culture of each region.

(Source: https://www.mamapan.jp/recipe/item/1158066 )

In Ireland, haunted houses and monster masquerade balls are held in the city of Meath, preserving ancient customs. Also, at night, people eat cakes and breads with dried fruits called ``barn black'', and depending on whether they win the rings or coins placed inside, they can predict their fortune for the year.

Halloween in America is probably the most familiar to Japanese people. ``Trick-or-treating'' and ``jack-o-lantern'' were established in America. ``Jack-o-lantern'' comes from the ``lantern made from a turnip'' that appears in Irish folklore. However, it seems that it spread to America and changed to pumpkin, which was easier to obtain locally.

Now, let's finally introduce ways to enjoy Halloween in Japan in a sustainable manner!

How to enjoy a sustainable Halloween

Due to the influence of the coronavirus, many people will be spending Halloween at home this year. So, we would like to introduce some sustainable Halloween ideas that you can enjoy at home.

① Making “Jack-o-Lanterns” without food waste

A "jack-o-lantern" is made by hollowing out a pumpkin. It is difficult to make with edible pumpkins, so it is generally made with special pumpkins. However, it is not suitable for eating, so it is usually thrown away after being displayed. Here are some ways to prevent pumpkins from being thrown away.

 

◆The hollowed out fruit can be made into sweets or soups.
The reason pumpkins made exclusively for Jack-o-Lanterns are not suitable for eating is because they have a bad texture. If you use cooking methods that don't require you to taste the texture, such as mixing it into soup or sweets, you can enjoy it deliciously.

 

◆Seeds are roasted and eaten like nuts.
Pumpkin seeds taste nutty when roasted in the oven. Eat it as is or sprinkle it on a salad. Moreover, it contains magnesium, zinc, and high-quality lipids, so it has beauty effects!

 

◆Substitute with something easy to eat other than pumpkin
As mentioned above, pumpkins are used in jack-o-lanterns simply because they are easily available in the United States. You can also enjoy the Halloween atmosphere by substituting oranges and hassaku, which have similar shapes and colors.

 

② Learn about SDGs and get Halloween items!

Now that the world is aiming to achieve the SDGs, items with Halloween and sustainability in mind are appearing one after another.

 ◆Souvenir from Osaka and Sakai “Haniwa Pudding Halloween Ver.”

(Source: https://www.fashion-press.net/news/78900 )

Haniwa pudding is made using local ingredients from Osaka. Grape skins from the manufacturing process of Kawachi Wine in Osaka are used as feed, and eggs from chickens raised are used for the pudding batter. In addition, the container is cute and can be reused, making it a sustainable pudding that falls under SDG 12 of "Responsible Production and Responsible Use."

“Haniwa Purin Halloween Set” official website: https://haniwa-purin.com/halloween2021/

(Reservations must be made until October 28th (Thursday))

 

◆Picture book to learn about diversity “Ghost Halloween”

(Source:https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/product/322105000847/ )

This picture book is set on Halloween, and incorporates themes related to various SDGs, such as a tolerant heart that accepts others, connections with friends, and diversity. Not only are the pictures cute and fun for children, but they are also thought-provoking for adults.

summary

There may be many people who don't like Halloween these days because it's associated with a festival. However, I think you can enjoy it if you use it as an opportunity to enjoy delicious food and conversation with your family and loved ones at home, rather than making noise outside.

I hope that by reading this article, you can have even a little bit of the feeling of being conscious of sustainability in the back of your mind.