The Halloween celebrations in Lanzarote have taken over from the more traditional celebrations in the recent years. „Los Finaos“ comes from the word „Finados“ meaning deceased and the catholic tradition of remembering those who have passed away is also known as Al Saints day. These celebrations take place from the 31st October until 2nd November. On the night of 31st October, the eve of All Saints‘ Day, the Canary Islands celebrate a festival around death. Without a trace of sadness for those who have passed away, but rather as a celebration of life.
The objective of this festival was to get together with family and friends to remember and honour the deceased, as well as to pray for their souls.
In the past, the celebration of this festival consisted of getting together in the afternoon or at night to share stories and seasonal food, holding a kind of wake. Cereals, jugs of wine, bread and live sheep were also usually placed on the tombstones in cemeteries, which served to cover the costs of the burial or masses. Over time, it acquired a more playful and popular tone and other elements such as music and parties were incorporated. According to Canarian tradition, on this day the youngest people would visit the houses with a bag and ask: “Are there saints?”. Their owners, after opening the door and being asked by the children, would put almonds, walnuts, chestnuts or figs, among others, in their bag. This tradition, known as „los santitos“, would be the equivalent of the “trick or treat” of Anglo-Saxon origin in which sweets are asked for. Afterwards, once the family was gathered in their houses, the oldest woman would tell anecdotes and stories of the deceased while sharing the fruits of the autumn season, among which chestnuts stand out, which are usually roasted at this time.
In the Tias Theatre tonight at 17.30 there will be a „Noche de Finaos“ with chestnuts, cheeses, storytelling and different performances.