The History of Halloween

The History of Halloween

Up next

Abd al-Malik - The Caliph Who Shaped Islam?

How did Abd al-Malik shape the development of Islam? This video explores the reign of the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, including his reforms, the construction of the Dome of the Rock, and his role in shaping early Islamic identity. Was he the most important caliph in Islamic hist ...  Show more

The Islamic Idealism of Ibn 'Arabi

Was the great Sufi thinker Ibn 'Arabi actually a kind of idealist philosopher? In this video we explore the metaphysics of the Akbari tradition and the famous doctrine of Wahdat al-Wujud (Oneness of Being).I examine Ibn ‘Arabi’s view that God (al-Haqq) is the only true Reality, w ...  Show more

Recommended Episodes

Short Stuff: The Story of Spirit Halloween
Stuff You Should Know

Every August, abandoned storefronts across America are filled with the spirit of Halloween, by way of the store, Spirit Halloween. Learn all about this wildly successful pop-up today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Irish Origins of Halloween
After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Pumpkins, trick or treating and ghost stories are what we associate with Halloween, but what about turnips, fairies and a fortune-telling cake? Anthony and Maddy are joined by historian Dan Snow, and host of sister podcast Dan Snow’s History Hit. They go in search of the origi ...

  Show more

Samhain: The First Halloween
Echoes of History

Halloween is a tradition that only grows in popularity each year. Yet its origins are mysterious, shrouded by myth and misconception. 


Some of its roots trace back to the Gaelic festival of Samhain. In this episode, Matt Lewis and Dr Kelly Fitzgerald explore the ...

  Show more

Why do we carve pumpkins on Halloween?
Forever Ago

Joy’s ready for some Halloweeny fun, but her jack-o’-lantern pal Lionel wants to skip the whole thing. He doesn’t understand why carving pumpkins is such an important Halloween tradition! Why don’t we just paint faces on bananas and call it a day?Lucky for Lionel, Joy and co-host ...  Show more