Halloween here, Halloween there… For many years now, the popular pagan festival has been celebrated all over the world, and Ibiza is no exception. This year there are dozens of them. Halloween parties that will take place on the island and, fortunately, many of them remain linked to our authentic tradition: that of 'All Saints' Day'.
And we do not have to forget that we have our party, with its own history and its customs. It is undeniable that the disguise is an enormous attraction, especially for children, but both traditions need not be incompatible.
Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year in most English-speaking countries and if there is someone who celebrates it in style, it is the Americans. However, this holiday has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as 'Halloween' (end of summer). That day the Irish celebrated the last day of the harvest season and gave the welcome to the new celtic year.
Day of Tots Sants and 'Trencada de fruits secs'
But, let's get to what interests us: the Ibizan tradition that, as it could not be otherwise, is linked to gastronomy. November 1st we celebrate 'Tots Sants Day', a tribute to those who are no longer with us. On the night of October 31st, families gathered around the table to enjoy a copious dinner called 'is braided'. During the evening it was common to eat fried pork (pig), dried fruit, seasonal fruit like the pomegranate, fritters bathed in country wine and sweet wine and, in those houses that could afford it, panellets.
La candied fruit It was also very important during the celebration. According to tradition, the 'godfathers' gave it to their godchildren.
Apparently, the families themselves went out to the forest to collect the nuts and pine nuts with which they carried out the 'trencada' and made the panellets, of Catalan origin. Everyone gathered at the table and broke them to get the fruit, hence the word 'trencada' (trencar = break).
By the way, in Ibiza they also went from house to house, although not to participate in the famous 'Trick or Treat'. In our case, young people got a basket and I asked for something for the souls.
Everything ready for a dinner for the deceased
Before going to bed, the Ibizans They left the table set so that the deceased could also enjoy the food.
An oil lamp remained lit on the table for facilitate the visit of souls to the living after midnight. The next day, the family would gather around the table again. They would pass a rosary on it and then eat whatever was left over.
That same day was used to visit the graves of the deceased, tidy them up and take them flowersThis last act is the one that is still in place today, as the production of 'panellets' has been relegated almost 100% to bakeries.
What is being tried to recover is the traditional 'trencada de fruits secs', which is included in most of the party programs of some towns in Ibiza.