The Original Tradition of Halloween – What Does It Mean? The history and traditions of Halloween began 2,000 years ago in Ireland and Scotland with the festival called Samhain . The original tradition of Halloween began 2,000 years ago in Ireland and Scotland with a Celtic festival called Samhain. Learn more about the Celtic festival of Samhain on Wikipedia.. People believed that on October 31st, the barrier between the living and the dead was .allowing spirits to pass to earth….. Read more