Bye, bye Halloween! Hello Bread for God!

Bread For God is a very Portuguese tradition, but its origin, evolution, and history to this day is fascinating.

Sometimes, however, we think that the tradition may be threatened by Halloween that may even have shared distant roots.

But since we are in Portugal, let's talk about another tradition, that is very Portuguese.

The Pagan Origins

Offerings to the dead at this time of year are common in various pagan cultures, including the Celts who inhabited what is now Portugal.

Given that many theses point to the origin of Halloween as Celtic festivities it is interesting to see the similarities and development of both.

We also know that many pagan festivals gradually took on Christian clothing, and gradually merged.

The Origin of Bread By Christian God

Over the years the worship of the dead has been increasingly promoted by the Catholic Church and the tradition of setting aside a table and also leaving food for them.

An old custom was to leave the first loaf of bread covered by cloth at the door of the house. It would be to honor the dead, but the intention was also for the poorest who passed by to take the physical part for themselves.

So this bread for the deceased faithful began to share with those who needed it most.

The 1755 Earthquake

One of the darkest days in the history of Portugal was on November 1, 1755.

In all Saints' Day, Lisbon would suffer the greatest catastrophe in its history, and much of the country was also affected by it.

Then those affected by such a storm came to whom something by asking for Bread For God, trying to have something to not starve, from those who survived the catastrophe,

Reports tell that in the following years that same day the custom of Bread For God was increased, as a celebration and thanks to those who had survived. Perhaps this is why this tradition is traditionally stronger in the Greater Lisbon region.

Evolution to the present day

Over the years it has progressively become a children's tradition. In the twentieth century, where records are more constant and reliable, we began to see Bread For God a lot like a children's festival.

On this day the children wake up early in the morning and go door to door asking for the bread for God.

Traditionally receiving dried fruits, pomegranates, bread and cakes.

In recent years, and counting a few cycles of less brilliance, it has begun to look more and more like a day when children ask for sweet door-to-door, but some people giving nuts are still seen.

The Bread For God cloth bag is very common in all these records, and nowadays it still exists, and with the Internet, we have seen many small businesses selling even customized versions of them.

Variations throughout the country

In many other regions of the country, Bread For God is celebrated. However, there are along with the territory some variations of it.

It is often known as the "Bolinho" in the Estremadura region, and the tradition is to give festive cakes specially made at this time of year.

Already in the Azores, the tradition is to give a cake called caspiadas, which say they remember the top of a human skull, thus honoring the dead.

From the #Celtic #tradition, through all #Christian traditions, #BreadForGod is at this time a celebration of the people and most of all the #children.

With or without masks, with or without Halloween, Bread For God is about to stay, and I think it has grown back in recent years, And this is another beautiful tradition from #Portugal.

Come and brig your family and celebrate with us.