In the Canary Islands, the night of the Finaos is a special and ancient celebration, full of respect and family unity. This tradition of remembering loved ones has evolved in parallel with the influence of Halloween, a more recent holiday. Today, both cultures mix in a meeting of traditions that unite families.
Los Finaos, celebrated on the night of October 31, is a traditional festival, deeply rooted in the Canarian past, with its roots in ancient customs that, as in other cultures, seek to remember those who are no longer with us. The word “Finaos” comes from the term “finiquitos” or “finalizados”, referring to those who have departed.
For centuries, families would gather on this date to share stories about their ancestors and remember their legacy. Children would listen to stories about their grandparents and great-grandparents, and adults would remember their presence in their lives. In some areas, prayers were said and candles were lit in honor of the deceased, accompanied by dried fruits, chestnuts, and liquors to accompany the gathering in an intimate and family atmosphere.
In recent years, the influence of Halloween, a holiday of Celtic origin, has grown in the Canary Islands and in many parts of the world. Halloween, which was initially a Samhain festival in Ireland, became popular in America and, over time, has expanded globally. In this celebration, costumes, trick or treating and pumpkin decorations are essential elements that make Halloween especially attractive to young people.
Coincidences between Halloween and Finaos
Interestingly, Halloween and Finaos share some aspects, even though they were born in different cultural contexts. Both celebrate the memory of the deceased, although Halloween does so in a more festive way and Finaos in a more solemn way. Also, the date coincides with the change of season, a time when many cultures from different parts of the world feel that the “veil” between the world of the living and the dead becomes thinner.
The mixture of both festivities can be seen in current events, where children can dress up and collect sweets on the 31st, and the next day, families gather to remember their loved ones and strengthen their family ties. In some homes, activities such as “trick or treat” have even been adapted to a Canarian version, where neighbours offer chestnuts, figs and nuts to children who visit their homes.
Today, in the Canary Islands, there is a cultural evolution in which Halloween and the Finaos complement and enrich each other. For many families, this combination of traditions represents the perfect opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds: the joy of Halloween costumes and games together with the solemnity and memory of the Finaos.
