The Ancient Origins of Halloween | Bronze Age Folklore

[@DanDavisHistory]

As a method of storytelling, in this video I mixed past and present tense, the natural and the supernatural, and folk stories and real festivals to subtly suggest to the viewer the way these practices were perceived by our ancestors. Now, this was a bit of an experiment because my usual priority is clarity over anything else so I do hope the way I structured and told this story served only to add atmosphere rather than confuse anyone. It seemed appropriate for this video but I won’t make a habit of it. Have you seen all my videos yet? Check out these playlists: People of the Bronze Age: kzbin.info/aero/PLUyGT3KDxwC8u4jG_tOjN-8-bsHxucUxn Bronze Age Warfare: kzbin.info/aero/PLUyGT3KDxwC8xD2S2Q1IqH_S_ocWwXWHv Medieval History: kzbin.info/aero/PLUyGT3KDxwC_Jh59Fp5aU5Fzj0oUXUkEJ Videos in the Bronze Age Warfare series: The Koryos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpOsqJxnfd2gpqc Trepanation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5Sbm6t8jq6JbMk Indra's Cudgel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYqoc6ula794r5Y Thor's Hammer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmKzlaiJZ9SWopo First Berserkers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHa7iXRmo8aLoc0 Army of the Dead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paKyoWtngLaCaqM

[@rossmelnyk1900]

I think you described in this video some origins of Halloween.....

[@DanDavisHistory]

It's possible yeah.

[@beneames5794]

@@rossmelnyk1900 also Day of the Dead festivals and all festivals held in the closing season of the the year when the realms of the ancestors and of the living overlap.

[@someguy8732]

@@rossmelnyk1900 watch survive the jives video on the roots of Halloween, it's a bit different

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yeah it's a fascinating subject with lots of interesting scholarship but it's not something I feel compelled to dive into. There's a dog domestication expert with a KZbin channel, I think he has a talk on there about it. kzbin.info

[@Aron-ru5zk]

This reminded me of something I haven’t thought about in years. In wales there’s a tradition called the Mari lwyd, a guy hidden in a horse skull costume and a few supporters go around the village trying to get into peoples houses by challenging the families to a singing battle. if the Mari lwyd gains entrance into the house it and it’s supporters help themselves to the households food and drink, this is said to bring the family good luck for the coming year. Seems like an obvious connection.

[@andrewcanady6644]

Wow. I’ve never heard of this tradition. Thanks for relaying this.

[@dguy0386]

they do something very similar in Germany i think

[@Colourmad314]

It was still actively practised in Llangwnod, Maesteg, in the 1960’s my family remembers it and had in the past taken part living in the village. They call at New Year….Halloween now was New Year in the Old Times.

[@ariomannosyemo9090]

Something to think about that a I realized a while back. The famous and old country song, "Ghost Riders in the Sky," is in many ways describing a type of Wild Hunt. There are obvious Christian overtones, but there is a definite and obvious Indo-European basal nature to it.

[@DanDavisHistory]

It is! I've posted about that on my Facebook page a couple of years ago, yeah the mythology was carried into north America as folk stories by Europeans - because why wouldn't it be? - and later the folk tradition became a folk song and then a recorded popular song.

[@arielmartinez7302]

Johnny Cash was stationed in Germany when he was in the air force so it could be possible that he witnessed this festivity

[@stevesmith2171]

"Ghost Riders In The Sky" was written by Stan Jones in 1947 and was based off of a story told to him by an old Native American man in Arizona when he was a child. The old man told him that when a warrior died his spirit went to live in the sky and became a ghost rider. I'm looking to see if I can find an account of the story from Jones himself.

[@stevesmith2171]

Ghost Riders In The Sky: The life of Stan Jones,the singing ranger. It's a biography & autobiography written in 2014 and I'm betting it will have an account of the story as told by the old man written by Stan.

[@DanDavisHistory]

@@stevesmith2171 Stan Jones may or may not have heard it from "an old Native American man" but there is no doubt the legend was being told amongst cowboys in America in the 19th century.

[@eem8039]

They are called ' CĂLUȘARI' in romanian and never had a dark conotation . The name itself comes from the Romanian word " CAL " which translated means " horse" . They formed a sworn brotherhood of nine young chaste men and an older leader and up until modern times they formed the smallest unit in any army , a group of ten men . They had to stay inside this secret group for nine years and during certain period of the year they performed ritual dances in order to exorcise all sort of illnesses through music and special rithmic dances. The whole thing is pretty well documented due to the fact that the Orthodox Church was not as predominant as many thinks

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

Please tell me you know any books on this? Or on general Balkan history and cultures and mythology? This is so awesome.

[@robertbrumfitt6548]

In mid December 2019 I was working in a ravine called Grimes gill with another lad, dry stone walling in some strong wind and rain. At one point the wind carried the sound of barking hounds but neither of us could see a hunting party or people up the isolated gill. We both shrugged our shoulders and didn't think much more of it. It was only later when reading a story about the wild hunt that I found it more queer, also more peculiar as Grim is another name for Odin and we were in Grimes Gill 🤔 great video as usual, brilliant analysis and perspectives

[@DanDavisHistory]

Awesome. No doubt about it, then. Thanks Robert.

[@seanpoore2428]

This channel is such a strange gem for someone who is into history, mythology and fantasy.........shits so cool, all of it

[@DanDavisHistory]

That's just the stuff I like. Cheers Sean!

[@seanpoore2428]

@@DanDavisHistory well may the wolf god of the Koryos bless you for your work, and build your house of stone, so that it may never fall

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you 🙏

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@DanDavisHistory please do one on punjabi indo european

[@MS-Melas]

​@@seanpoore2428 the wolf god is the sky father is Dyaus Phtar😄

[@cernunos8153]

I’m transfixed by this koryos series. It’s a concept that really allows your imagination to run wild. I could imagine how outsiders (perhaps groups of other Bronze Age Indo-Europeans) perceiving the koryos on the hunt would help in the formation of the cultural concept that the war band embodies an army of the dead or channels the spirits of dead ancestors. Another really great video

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Yes there's no doubt that's where the misconceptions in Tacitus for example comes from.

[@senorsombrero1275]

I like to think that at least once, one of these Koryos, just to try something new, marched up to a village, sent their best speaker forward and let him go on at length how there was an army of the dead just beyond that ridge and if they didn’t give them horses or food they’d all destroy the village. The villagers, being the superstitious and non-confrontational type, obliged their demands.

[@MrRayCK]

@@senorsombrero1275 Beside the idea of that villagers believe the speaker about that army of the dead, they probably won't take the risk. It's better to get robbed than murdred. Sacrifice some gifts to the army and hide inside the house was probably the best option for a group of simple farmers without a lot of military experience. It even could be profitable. A village that would give nice gifts to that army could be protected against other armies and function as some kind of mercenary group. It's a bit like maffia tactics or a tax for protection. And this makes them dual in nature: helpful ánd to be scared of. In The Netherlands we have some remote islands in the Wadden Sea (Waddenzee in Dutch). One of these islands, Ameland, still has a feast that's very related to what happens in the video. That feast is called 'Sunneklaas'. (The word is related to 'Sinterklaas' / Saint Nicholas, but it only bears that christian name. It's totally different from the Sinterkaas feast in the rest of the Netherlands. It's referred to 'Old Sunneklaas' as in 'the old way we did this feast before christianity'.) Outsiders are not welcome on the island to watch this. But some stories and a few pictures of it can be found on the internet. What I found about it (I unfortunately never withnessed it as I'm an ousider of that island): It includes people who make sure everyone gets into their house ('baanvegers' --> 'road sweepers'), they make a lot of noise by blowing on horns. A group of masked boys and men walk trough the dark streets after the road is empty. Everyone who is outside the house or has light on gets hit with a stick. In some houses the door is open and the masked guys are welcome. They sing, make very hard jokes about the people in the room and what they did last year and try not to be regocnized by changing their voices. They walk to the backdoor where some alcohol waits for them. They drink it and go to another house. Some girls try to be catched on the streets. It's not clear what exactly happens in the dark, but the stick seems to be a fertility symbol too... On other islands in the Wadden Sea were related feasts. There were the 'Sunneklazen' also called 'ome's' (uncles). (I wonder if there's a link with 'kabouters' (the Dutch word for gnome / goblin / kobold). Bearded, living in nature, both helpfull and to be scared of, a link with magic, unseen but believed to be real in the same time. The kabouter has a link with the looks of Santa Claus. And Santa has a link to Odin/Wodan through 'Sinterklaas' / Saint Nicholas. And Saint Nicholas has a link with the Wild Hunt. Even the pointed hat of a 'kabouter' kan be linked to pointed hats of the Huns / Norsemen / Kozacks / Sami / the Frygian hat).

[@AnnieManul1]

Thanks for publishing this. It deserves to be better known. A Romanian anthropologist explained to me the origin of werewolves as part of an initiation rite. Young males were reborn as wolves and warriors after emerging from a wolfskin.

[@garrettelgin4742]

Your description of the ancient soul is excellent. There’s often way too many modern assumptions baked in when we hear soul. There’s a reason why the soul is called the breath of life in the Bible for instance

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. It's an important subject with many different aspects. The soul is quite complex and multi part and it's hard to speak generally because there are so many apparent contradictions.

[@MrSimonmcc]

@@DanDavisHistory just like The Bible.

[@timdixon3391]

Modern people assume our ancestors had no language or concept of the supernatural. They think we went from neanderthal to Jesus. Lol

[@Mortismors]

I was taught in philosophy class that soul is Greek for the latin word spirit

[@elram2649]

@@Mortismors Indeed, and "spirit" is often meant to refer to "energy". This knowledge alone should open people's eyes in regards to what the Bible cites contextually in its various accounts. If context is kept, revelation (understanding) takes place. People are simply not interested in challenging their ways and thus remain needlessly lost within their own faulty understanding. And to this simple philosophy; they say "nay"...thus reinforcing (unawares to them) what the Bible states about such rationale.

[@seedmole]

I've gotta chime in that one of the most mindbending things about attending large festivals is the number of complete strangers you see who look identical to people you've known for years. That rang out to me as a perhaps realworld basis for that part of the depiction in the opening of this video. Interesting to think that such moments may have played into the development of early indoeuropean quasireligious beliefs.

[@jovanweismiller7114]

Not just our ancestors. C.S. Lewis (+1963) said, 'You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.' It is a basic idea in Christianity. BTW, I'm reading 'Godborn'. Excellent! I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

[@terminuscoagule3059]

Wow dead ancestors and gods posessing young men of fighting age seems prevalent in all cultures, i've seen ecstatic posessions of ancestors and gods from the indian, chinese and african voudun cultures that still exist to this day. It's actually kinda strange to see how the cult of material scientism has detached us from the metaphysical and our ancestors. We no longer honour the dead as we used to. We are no longer even grateful that it is through them that we exist. Thank you for your superbly insightful research.

[@MrRayCK]

There definitely seem to be a link with some African initiation rites, like the Kankurang (Concorong) of the Mandinka in The Gambia and Senegal. Even the masks, behavior and clothing seems to be related with European forms (like the Kukeri) of this ritual. Even the name sounds similar. (In the Gambia the Kachikally crocodile pool seem to be related to a fertility bathing rituals that is related to a Perchta / Vrouw Holle ritual in Europe. Souls live in the water and by swimming in (dark) water you can get pregnant if you can overcome your fears. Overcoming your fears plays a mayor role in initiation rites.) Also in Papua-New Guinea there are related initiation rites. In Europe also the Arlecchino ('Harlekijn' in Dutch) is related to these figures. It's interesting that on stage these character can be invisible to other players and can as the only one talk to the spectators. He has a black mask and a club (which is a fertility symbol too). His strange checkered clothing seems to be related to the skin of a crocodile. And the crocodile plays an important role in the initiation rites in some African and Asian initiation rites. The crocodile link is interesting, because the crocodile is considered a Holy Animal. Linked to the dragon (and snake) and water and fertility. (Snake & dragon = river and rain = crop fertility = human fertility). It even can have a link to the origins of the idea behind the George and the Dragon tale and add one extra layer to that interesting story. There seem to be a link with the George-tale and the Kóryos: A young nobleman, riding alone on a horse in the wild, has to overcome his fears and slay a dragon which demands offerings. He can only marry after slaying the dragon.

[@architectsneedunions]

It sucked being a young person in a culture with no initiation rituals. Very disorienting and frustrating. We wrote some of our own, but I've had glimpses of the power that comes from truly communal ritual moments and that is what's missing for a lot of us today. I imagine that societies with koryos bands didn't have a lot of the social issues we're seeing.

[@jeplica7011]

I appreciate you sharing this information. It is literally the most in depth and resonating explanation that i desperately needed. Its been like pulling teeth for about 7 years as i sidestep constant attempts just to grasp what was actually happening. I suspected i was likely dead, and obviously those attempts by people were aware but didn't want me to know. I have my body, im a girl, and the entire society is corrupt, and i been solo lighting up the nonsense and lies and everyone i encounter hates me , but the last 2 days its been a lot friendlier

[@heimdallr221]

As a Croat of Kvarner bay this was extremely interesting to me. Altho we are indeed catholics, our famous local Znončari are the embodiment of everything spoken in this video. I cannot thank you enough for delving into matters such as these. I am looking forward to more videos! As for our own "bell-carriers", we have multiple bands depending on what villages they pass throught. Some wear flowers on theor heads, and some wool. The ones from my village bear oxen skulls with horns, their daces blackened with pitch as they attebd the villages by foot near the end of winter.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@londo0]

Same thing in Serbia. People dress as grotesque monsters and residents of villages/towns have to give them gifts in order to appease them. I'm guessing that's where Halloween comes from.

[@fitzmeister87]

Same thing in the Alps. Starting on the midwinter solstice or christmas, there is a period of 12 days called Rauhnächte ('rough nights') where the young men of a village visit it in huge, hirsute costumes and wooden demon masks spotting horns. They come with roaring and rattling and those demons are called Perchten (after Frau Perchta, Missis Brightness, a chtonian mother goddess aka Frau Holle from the folk tale). During those 12 yule nights, one has to fulmigate one's home and not perform the usual duties, lest to be harmed by the wild hunt outside in the dark. Usually, they would woop the undutiful maids'behinds with twigs if a house was poorly cleaned during their visit. This Perchtenlauf tradition also spawned Krampus.

[@jon2067]

My grandfather's family were farmers from Carnaro, but he moved here in 1950 because his parents were genocided together with all our people by the slavs.

[@MrRayCK]

@@fitzmeister87 originally Perchta / Frau Holle wasn't a monster. She is literally demonized by the church. Speaking of Frau Holle: her name means 'the cloaked woman' (verhüllte Frau). It sounds like a mask... Also called 'white lady' (there seem to be a link with the 'Witte Wieven' (white womans) in Dutch legends. They seem to be souls or ghosts living in the bog. White is in some cultures the color of death or soul. Also black and red are linked to death. Bodies or warriors were covered in red pigment in prehistoric burials. It's no surprise that these three colors are linked to Christmas / Santa Claus.) Another local Dutch name for Frau Holle is 'Beeldwit' (hard to translate literally, but is probably means 'white idol'). She is related to grainfields. She can be harmful or helpful. (It sounds like alcohol or a fungus drugs from grain -> 'moederkoren' (Mutterkörn / True Ergot / Claviceps purpurea). And that seems to be related to 'Cailleach' who is also called 'korenmoeder' in Dutch. I wonder if Frau Holle is also related to goddess Kali (goddess of time, creation and destruction) and the Black Madonna.

[@chaosPneumatic]

Reminds me a lot of traditional trick-or-treating on Halloween here in America (not sure if it's the same in the UK): Bands of masked children demanding offerings and threatening minor vandalism if none is given. Also in Louisiana, where I grew up, the Cajun people have their own version carnival or Mardi Gras where mostly men dress in costumes, act wild, and seek "charity" from their neighbors. It's interesting learning about different versions from commenters here from other cultures. I hope these fun traditions never die out!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes I think the Mardi Gras is certainly a continuation of these traditions. And Halloween comes mainly from Irish traditions I believe. Folklorists disagree on its provenance and some argue there's no evidence of a pre-Christian origin but... as an amateur who doesn't know anything about it - sure seems like it's a kind of visitation of the ancestors rite.

[@gadpivs]

@@DanDavisHistory It's definitely descended from the Celtic harvest festival, Samhain. This was a celebration that persisted for thousands of years where it was believed that the souls of ancestors could roam freely in the physical world during this time of year as a result of a weakening of the barrier between the physical and spirit worlds. One could blend in with the spirits by wearing a mask, and animal sacrifices were regularly made in addition to numerous bonfire rituals.

[@johndanielharold3633]

@@DanDavisHistory . We know that Samhain is one of the oldest festivals in the world not only because of its importance in the ancient oral tradition, which had accumulated over the millennia long before the Christian monks set some of it down in writing, but also because of the archaeological record. The best example would be the main passage tomb of Carrowmore, Listoghil 51, which is aligned to mark the sunrise on both Imbolc and Samhain, both cross-quarter days. It dates from 5,800 to 5,100 years ago. Whoever argues that there´s no evidence of a pre-Christian origin either knows very little about the subject or has a bee in their bonnet.

[@jytte-hilden]

@@DanDavisHistory That's a load of rubbish. During viking times, the Odins-ride (Norse version of the Wild Hunt) would ride during the time of no gods (period between Stellar New Year and Spring Equinox). Leading the spirits of dead warriors, Odin would lead them from village to village to place, demanding sacrifice to avert their wrath. These spirit warriors were also known as "Lone Warriors" or "Ein-heirar", and their part in the ride was played by the young men of the area, wearing costumes and masks. Taking place during the time of no gods presumably means that the ride had some symbolic protective intent. Today that festival is Shrove Tuesday, which is the Scandinavian equivalent of All Hallows Eve. Even today the festival has some very non-Christian elements, such as the (symbolic) sacrifice of a black cat, and making the child (originally only boys) who killed the cat king for a day. Variants of this festival exist all over the northern hemisphere, only the dates vary, and which Christian holiday they are associated with.

[@watermelonlalala]

My grandfather was born about 1900, not Irish, and he said in his youth Halloween was nothing like the fifties and sixties children's holiday. He said they played tricks on people like putting somebody's car on the roof of their garage. This obviously would have been young men and boys. I think he said no costumes in his day.

[@jezusbloodie]

Holy crap. From my dutch perspective: The odd times from November to new years, the way festivals felt accros Europe, the way so many small customs and practice have evolved and continue to evolve The human experience across so much time and space I can't even I think I can safely say this video has deeply changed my view on life in so many aspects. I wonder what revelations might dawn on me now Idk how much, but I feel this might have a profound impact on my own grand story telling and world building near future projects.

[@thoughtfox12]

Eadorimþriþ Langernama?

[@jezusbloodie]

@@thoughtfox12 that be me (although in Latin script I generally write it as "Eadorimthryth")

[@thoughtfox12]

@@jezusbloodie I suppose the fuþorc is as Frisian as it is English

[@jezusbloodie]

@@thoughtfox12 yeah, and I am of mainland Saxon decent, but I got into the runes because of Tolkien and how he used old-english to craft middle-earth and rohirim (especially because the saxon region I'm from has a horse on the flag too and the names sound so awesome) Iirc it is believed that the anglo-saxon script was picked up by them when the Frisians ferried them over to Britain, but if the Frisians were using it, then I believe that the western Saxons would also have picked up too. Or something along those lines

[@MrRayCK]

I'm Dutch too. You clearly see the link with Sunneklaas on Ameland! (And also with a lot of more rituals, feasts and winterfigures and ancient gods or goddesses like Vrouw Holle).

[@NoName-lo9ym]

Would love to see you on a stream with Survive the Jive 👍

[@Korzhinho]

Having participated in fun folk remnants of these ancient rites as a kid, I cherish these memories even more when thinking of them in an anthropological way, feeling some connection to the people of the Bronze Age and beyond.

[@Error_4x5]

I remember reading a article in a Norwegian newspaper about the Wild Hunt and it's connections to Black Metal. It mentioned the dressing in all black, the shrill singing, painting the face with gypsum and ash, brandishing swords, hammers and maces and spiting fire. I can definitely see how a kid into metal would think this looks cool and decide to copy the look for his band.

[@volfrax]

Interesting to see the parallels in the time of year and consequences in swedish christmas traditions. The Tomte Nisse lived with you all year (something like a house spirit) and took care of the things you forgot. On christmas eve you would leave him a bowl of porridge, but if you didn't, there were consequences. Stories i was told as a child said that he would cut open the cows and animals or make their milk spoil, let cold winds in the the doorway, and he might make your roof burn. And the long term consequences of disturbing the tomten, was that your family would be open to sickness and your land might be tainted. I see direct parallels, even after long millennia of religious change and modernization, in the same "hunt" story. Thanks for the video!

[@DanDavisHistory]

What a wonderful tradition, thank you.

[@MrRayCK]

In the Netherlands we have a similar figure, we call it 'kabouter' (also translated als goblin in English). They live near your house or garden (or farm), but you cannot see them. If you treat them bad they wil destroy your house and even can burn it down. (Maybe this explains burning down houses after a lightning strike.) What's interesting is that we have some toponyms in The Netherlands with 'Nisse' in the name. We don't know the 'Nisse' figure in that name, but maybe we did in past times? As a kid I heard a story about a Scandinavian figure 'Kalle-Nisse', a Tomte. And I always wondered about what kind of figure it was. I read a lot about the origins of 'winter figures' in European culture and got deep into this Kóryos / Wild Hunt story ánd the probable link with 'kabouters' (and Santa Claus and it's Dutch / European figure Sinterklaas / Saint Nicholas and his black or demonic helpers Krampus or Black Pete). I suspect a link with the goddess Kali (goddess of time, creation and destruction) and wonder if the 'Kalle' is related to 'Kali'. Of with 'to call', raging sounds / horn blowing / and the sound that some birds make like ravens or cocks. This all seem to be related somehow.

[@williamcathcart7994]

I am enjoying your work. With this video, you have really made me think. All of Koryos has not gone away. Changed shape maybe but not vanished. I was born in Charleston S.C. in 1950. I've lived here all of my life. My ancestry is Scots. We were raised with great respect for our elders and tradition. Growing up in the 1950's and 60's , aside from school, there were many challenges put forth to gain your right of passage. Just to name a few, Shooting your first duck, earning all those merit badges as a Boy Scout, being blooded after shooting your first buck, Sailing in your first over night race in the ocean, catching your first sailfish while being 50 miles off shore, Defending your younger brother at all cost, Oh! and that first kiss. I'll stop here. Thank you for causing me to think of me roots.

[@telleroftales5309]

I greatly do it appreciate the respect you offer to these ancient and living traditions, not attempting to invalidate or objectify, but recognising their world view as real and true.

[@jackholloway1]

Have you ever read Storm of Steel by Ernst Junger? The bit about the young warrior being where the life force manifests itself most abundantly reminded me of the bit where he talks about 18-20 year old shock troopers and how fearless and full of fight they were

[@DanDavisHistory]

I have yeah, amazing book. I don't know much at all about the 20th century actually and haven't read many accounts but yeah that's a remarkable book.

[@williammashtalier479]

These videos are awesome, and I would love to see a more in depth video for the wild hunt. I would also like to see more of the Eastern indo-european versions of the ancestor cult and war band traditions.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. I will have to do those.

[@RossArlenTieken]

Trick or Treat. Wassailing. Caroling. Eucharistic Procession. Day of the Dead. This stuff is not gone.

[@StuartGrant]

It is probable that the more recent traditions of Mummers plays, and some forms of Morris dance where the performers "black up" is a more modern representation of this ancient tradition.

[@YamiKisara]

I'm pretty sure I've written a similar comment before, but comming back to this video, I'm still convinced the Czech tradition of Masopust (with similar practices across all Slavic nations) originated from the koryos! It's still practiced today and while more predominant in rural areas, it's finding its way back into towns and cities as well. It takes place between The Three Wise Men, which in my country is celebrated on January 6th and notes the end of Christmas, and Ash Wednesday (essentially a part of Easter). People from the respective village dress up as animals or blacken their faces, sometimes they bring a cow or some similar animal with them, but the masks that absolutely have to be in the group include a bear - with whom every woman has to dance in order to secure her fertility, a horse - which symbolizes winter and is symbolically killed at the end of the celebration, and many others with important symbolism. And the group knocks on every door and is expected to receive food and drinks (which are often consumed at night when the entire village meets after this event) and gives the house and people blessings, sometimes tries to prank them. The groups traditionally consist of younger men, who perform ritual dances, of course, although some of the roles are expected to be performed by young women, and nowadays there's less focus on that and anybody can play whichever role. So, to me, it does sound extremely similar to what you described in your video, albeit a more "civil" version (but that also kinda aligns with our mentality, I'd say). We know it has been a part of our history since forever, there are written records of it from the 9th century AD, if not older. But to think it dates all the way back to the Bronze Age and possibly even further, that's just amazing and mindblowing at the same time!

[@gameboyhotline3712]

Im apart of a traditional African religion and also actively honor my ancestors these things you said are all very much understood by us, almost like a universal science

[@garychynne1377]

instincts are ancestor's whispering through the ages. only survivor's get to talk. thank yew

[@DanDavisHistory]

I like that Gary. Thank yew too.

[@sonoransaguaro3786]

@Gary Chynne🌵oh, so truly said, Gary! thanks💖

[@bennichols561]

Yew deserves more discussion. Taxus baccata and Taxus baccata fastigiata.

[@latro8192]

I'm surprised you don't mention the 'cults' of 'St Nicholas', still celebrated today in the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of Germany. Sinterklaas being an obvious christianisation of Wodan (beard ,staff and strange hat). He has his entry parade, riding a horse that can fly, accompanied by young black painted people that do cartweels and stuff. Brandishing their bundles of rods with which to punish those that have been bad.

[@dorusvlierboom6273]

Especially the ritualistic form still present on the island of Ameland bears a lot of resemblance!

[@watermelonlalala]

I sincerely doubt there is any bronze age source about cartwheels. The fire sticks guy is more like it. The Golden Bough recounts loads of "Celtic" types running around the European countryside with firebrands, fire wheels, fire missiles, etc.

[@Smoug]

birchings are sexy

[@latro8192]

@viviane truyen Santa Claus is based on Dutch settlers in New York celebrating Sinterklaas. Plus a nationalist society that venerated Saint Nicholas to differentiate the US from the British Saint George.

[@latro8192]

@viviane truyenIt's not Odin= Zeus But Tiu (or Tiw), who was supreme God before Wodan/Odin gained more popularity. Note the resemblance of Tiu Zeus and Dis Pater/Jupiter and the word Deus.

[@Jadeserphant]

Yes, please, on doing a video on The Wild Hunt. It's fascinating how it pops up in diverse cultures. There are common elements, which is interesting, but I think the differences speak to the nature of the individual cultures and how they evolved.

[@dbssufferer]

i just love how phrases like "everyone knows that", "it's obvious" are used to explain concepts. what if i told you that not everyone lives by the same assumptions?

[@anitapollard1627]

Thank you, very much! I've heard about ancestor worship all my life (my parents were missionaries to Northern Alberta Indiginous people) and now if understand it! You did a very good job of explaining it 🤗 totally makes sense now!

[@hwychild]

I love history, and as a Scottish descendant, the wild hunt is made up of fairies, witches, warlocks, maybe an occasional diety...of course filled with mythological animals, at the forefront, being the great stag...

[@danielfirestine9414]

We need to remember our ancient European history

[@Thor-Orion]

5:31 I didn’t know they became characters from history in some traditions. Wild Hunt is such a cool holiday.

[@recalone]

Interesting, i knew from the point of the wild hunt and Wodan accompanied by Valkyrie, then morfing to vrouw Holle and the Bokkerijders, and later St.Nicolas with krampusses or moorish helpers and Santa with his elves and rain dears… but this pre germanic version is new to me and love it

[@NotYourEcho]

In full earnestness, I have probably never been so pleased with coming across a KZbin channel

[@rnedlo9909]

As a foot note, although unrelated, at its height, the Iroquois Confederacy had used a tactic of sending out bands of 100 young warriors to drive out any other tribe from the East Coast of N America from what is now Ottawa, Canada to Georgia, USA; and from the Chesapeake Bay to the Mississippi River. In one generation they depopulated the whole area of most tribes. It was very affective.

[@1furious]

Commented on one of your other videos and I've found myself watching many more. It's so refreshing to find content actually exploring what our ancestors believed, what they did, and who they are, rather than simply being berated for their so-called "primitive superstitions" and lack of "intelligence". You've earned a new subscriber. Keep it up friend!

[@susannewilliams]

I have my own Koryos, we will be having just such a Great Feast in Middle Germany this winter Dec 17-21. Many are coming. We would be honored if you would join. I went and slept with the dead in Kleine Kneten. Brought the Birch Leaf from the Field of the Bronze Kings, nearby, to the Barrow of Kleinekneten. These dead are 2500 years older. The ancient ancestors of the Bronze Kings. So I brought a Birch Leaf from the Field of the Bronze Kings, and took it into the barrow and lay as dead with their ancestors all night. A long time since those Bronze age Kings were able to make a real offering to their ancestors here on earth. When I arose, I proclaimed a great Thyng for midwinter and started a baritus on bullroarer. It has begun to swell as we draw near to the time. We include Vikings, and every kind of ecstatic warrior. We are calling our brothers and sisters to us. We can be a maximum of 80 on site. I would hereby offer you privilege to bring whom you choose. Your band will have right of place among us.

[@kadoj]

Dude this is fantastic.... just listening to this makes me feel connected to my ancestral forbearers in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced to quite the same degree. Like some ancient blue-faced, wild haired, howling warrior covered in wolf hides and invincibly protected by the armor of tradition and history that I think we, as a people, have come far too close to completely forgetting, is right here with me as I write this. Real. Tangible. Eternal. Thank you, dude. I did not expect this at all.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, this makes me happy 🙏

[@yaaklynx56]

Beautifully put together! A great marriage of form and content. Thank you for speaking so eloquently about this very central but hard to understand aspect of our cultural heritage. I will definately check out the recommended reading!

[@AljosaPLampe]

We still have a tradition like that in slovenia during lent in february, we call the guys in the wild hunt kurenti and they wear costumes made of animal fur and wear bells around their waists and are sadi to awaken the spring and bring it forth

[@heirofatlantis5916]

You're spoiling us Dan! Another great one

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you!

[@juliogouvea9447]

The Wild Hunt is also present in Table Top Role Playing Games, such as Dungeons & Dragons. "The Wild Hunt was a haunting phenomenon, what some described as being a physical manifestation of good life force, of wild frenzied hunting in which a being known as Cerunnos or the Master of the Hunt swept through the land with his hounds and numerous other creatures".

[@cremonx]

Hey Dan, the parallels between what you discussed are immensely synchrotistic with regards to the religious practices of the spectrum of metaphysical identities...i.e. Humans appeasing spirit beings whom they are tied to in one way or another. Interesting. Thanks.

[@magnafrisia3787]

Excellent video dan! Thanks for making it!

[@Luiz_a_mendes]

perhaps this incorporation of young people into ancestors to represent order, laws and the tribe is a way of giving continuity, since it is the young people who continue the tribe and will pass the customs on to the next generations.

[@jelkel25]

I've read a legend from Dartmoor about the wild hunt. It was presented as a sort of ghost story and seemed a little isolated and incomplete. This video makes it make sense. Fantastic video.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks. Yeah it *is* a ghost story, and a folk story, and yet these kinds of activities also worked their way into various Pagan and Christian festivals in multiple cultures over thousands of years, fragmenting and changing in form and meaning. But yeah the "Wild Hunt" name and form specifically is a folk story.

[@18Bees]

I used to have romantic ideas about living like they did in the past. That was until I started watching this channel. It was brutal back then!

[@dguy0386]

there's plenty about our world they wouldn't have liked either, mostly related to the government in one way or another

[@barbaricvm0]

My grandfather used to retell me stories that his father told him. One of them was a story about a man who instead going to church on Sunday, he went hunting. Hunting is done on Sundays here, I don't know how it is in other countries. And so for the man's hubris and carelessness for God, God cursed him and said that he will hunt for the rest of his days, except he would hunt only during the night. Here's where my grandfather's father would interject and tell of the time he swore he saw the "Midnight hunter" with his own eyes, one evening my grand grandfather went hunting, back in the 40s, and he was walking on a road that stretched across the field. Tall grass covered the field and the Moon was shining brightly across it, and my grandgrandfather spotted a bird in the sky, he pulled out his gun, and stopped when he thought for a second he saw a person among the grass and something in front of the person, going fast ahead through the grass. When he looked back at where he saw the figure, there was nothing, and all of the sudden there was complete silence again. My grandfather told me that his father was sure he saw the midnight hunter, cursed by god, and his hound chasing the bird he was supposed to shoot down. My grandfather never believed him of course, saying that he only thought he saw the cursed hunter, and that his "hound" was merely a bird which flew low in the tall grass. I know, it's not much of a Wild Hunt story but i was reminded by this video, so i thought i could share with you all.

[@raclark2730]

I don't care if you are a celestial werewolf your not getting my beer and crisps.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Lol

[@raclark2730]

@@DanDavisHistory Cheers 🍻

[@koryonos-geheim-einherii]

interestinly, my great grandmother always said that in lent is the period where the spitits roam the earth, so many centuries passed, many religious purges, we went to a whole new continent and yet the practices are the same.

[@SarahSharkey]

Our folk need to remember our ancestors. We need to respect and protect the blood they gave us! Do not give into degeneracy, do not give into weakness. Remember who we are!

[@francisfischer7620]

Gorgeous voice!!!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thanks 👍

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Love the way you show just how mixed up are “history “ is!

[@ActualHistory123]

Love these videos on Germanic/Indo-European mythology

[@kyarimaresuki]

Two things I've thought listening: the proto indo European link between the words "guest", "ghost" & the young men/ancestors raiding homes. Also, sounds a bit like Halloween's pranks (Devil's Night, I think, in the US) by young men, too.

[@Rodelero]

I have a memory from 1996,when I was in kindergarten. I never could explain it, and when i think back on it after studying in my 20s old norse culture, i look3d back and almost couldn't believe the memory i had of that day in kindergarten. One day near Christmas the teacher told us about a mysterious old man who on Christmas rides violently and fast and leaves candy but you can never catch him. We all thought it wad just storytime and then all us kids sitting indian style went quiey ad the teacjer said, listen! And i swear to this day at 33 years old there was an almost defeaning, ever loudly growing sound of horse hoofs, i remember being terrified like it wad a ghost. I mean im 6,so lol. But just when the sound of hoofs came clos3 enough, the classroom door swung op3n and candy flew EVERYWHERE alpng the floor and the door slamm3d back shut, the spund of hooves getting quieter.we all ran up and lool3d outside and there was no one there. Logically, at 33 years old these days, i tell myself well obviously the faculty was behind it, to kind of spark our imagination. But this wild hunt mythology? Matbe she was Scandinavian our teacher? I guess a child's imagination plays a big role but this memory doesn't make a lot of sense, especially because it took place in Texas. (lots of German less Scandinavian) maybe it was a culture day? The biggest question abou5 tjos childhook memory i have is how scared i felt lol. It didn't feel mysterious or festive, i remember being terrified and trying to understand if that old man on tje horse was a ghost. Anyway thanks for the upload and reminding me of a memory you reminded me of. I think somehow mu memory and the wild hunt are related.

[@MrRayCK]

Or maybe she was Dutch. It sounds like the way we celebrate the 'Sinterklaas' feast (Santa Claus is related to him. Sinterklaas is also related to Wodan/Odin.) His helpers 'Black Pete's' are people who try to stay invisible or not regocnized and throw in a lot of candies and leave. Those are the helpers of Sinterklaas (who rides on a white horse through the sky and over the roofs of houses, it's actually Sleipnir from Odin.)

[@TheWitchInTheWoods]

How did I miss this video. Really fascinating, love the way you tell the story, and ooh such beautiful visual content.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@IudiciumInfernalum]

This was absolutely fascinating. i also really enjoyed the narrative structure of the presentation.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you very much.

[@bigbossgreek]

Clicked so fast on this one. I've been loving your videos.

[@DanDavisHistory]

This must be the fastest comment I've ever seen. It was within 22 seconds. Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@DanDavisHistory please do one on indo european India on punjab

[@DanDavisHistory]

I will eventually but it will be a while yet before I get there.

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@DanDavisHistory great please do one in the punjabi jatts

[@fizoblong9506]

2:20 ..."burst into my house stealing my beer.." I can not recommend that to anyone... All hell will break loose that Wherewolfls will flee whining with their tail behind their legs...

[@greenjack1959l]

You just put up with it if you want blessings from the Gods. The Gods were ever thieving bastards.

[@francisfischer7620]

Fascinating!! Wonderful visuals! I read what you wrote on tenses. Gertrude Stein played with that to beautiful effect. I'm very taken with all you said and will listen again. Now I confess I've not read your work. I will. I'm quite interested. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Yes, the metaphysical is the true reality. Ok I'm done nattering! Blessings!

[@GeekGirl-ub7ki]

I found this channel and really enjoy the content and will check out your novels. This made something clear to me about early Halloween in the USA. The children, especially young boys, would go to houses and demand a "treat" and if they didn't get it they were allowed to "trick" the household. This often involved property damage, stealing animals and so forth. In the early 1900s, this practice started to be seen as unacceptable and thus was changed into the supervised "Trick or Treating" of modern times. Those boys were still basically enacting the Koryos until society changed the nature of their day of the dead ritual to meet modern standards.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Yes that was certainly the tradition in Britain and Ireland too.

[@Ian-yf7uf]

Great research in these videos

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you. Mainly it's all from Kershaw.

[@lousarsol9005]

Is that sarcasm??!

[@thefisherking78]

This is fascinating! Thank you for sharing it! Looking forward to your audiobook.. it's queued 🙂

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you like the story too.

[@pentegarn1]

When I was at the House of Seven Gables they told us about a similar thing during Halloween. I guess some young men dressed like werewolves pushed their way into the house demanding food and drink. I wish I could remember the year this incident happened, but they cover so many years during their speech I can't quite recall. Probably during the 1700s?

[@catherineladd5300]

..."And the beer probably helped..." I'm loving this series.

[@aloysiusyful]

Absolutely fantastic channel. You really paint a picture. I'm trying to stop watching all the episodes in one go but can't seem to.

[@peternuyten7114]

Great presented. Love it very much, also since I too are using many of what you explained here in my own books. Thanks for sharing your exellent knowledge about this topic.

[@Valdagast]

In old Swedish times, on the 13th of December students would mask themselves and go from door to door to get gifts of food and drink. I wonder if that's related to this.

[@watermelonlalala]

Hard to say. I believe I read of an American Indian tribe that had a holiday of kids going around begging. Of course, some think the Vikings mingled with the native Americans.

[@Ragnarrroker]

Excellent video. I would posit a definite connection to the Icelandic Yule Lads. These seem to be observances that teach the people to have thier house in order. In nature it can observed that it is the predator that keeps the prey healthy.

[@watermelonlalala]

As I learned it from old library books, on New Year's Day in old Europe everything should be perfect and pristine. Hence, old, cracked and broken items were disposed of and replaced before New Year's and everything was cleaned.

[@caitryan8262]

So grateful youtube recommended your site to me. You always present a fascinating and informed video full of unexpected details. Thanks so much for creating these videos. Re Koryos, this week in Campania, Italy the remains of a 12 year old Etruscan boy c. 4th C bce were excavated by archaeologists. The boy was buried with his bronze warrior's belt and two ceramic cups, one for food and one for wine. Would really like to know your thoughts on this burial. Thanks.

[@DanDavisHistory]

I'm so glad you found the channel, thank you for your comment. That's an interesting discovery, I didn't see that one. It's interesting too because no one is quite sure just how Indo-European the Etruscan people were. Where did they come from? Where does their language fit in? What about their gods and traditions? There's many opinions - I don't really have any of my own. It's interesting they say it's a bronze warrior's belt, I don't know about this Etruscan tradition, I will have to look into it further. Thanks again.

[@caitryan8262]

@@DanDavisHistory bit.ly/3e3OsIM Here is a link about the excavation and the archaeologist's remarks. Thank you for your comments. Wish you lots of success.

[@AllHailDiskordia]

I was told a few tales of the wild hunt when I was a kid, apparently there are a lot of them

[@Thekoryosmenstribepodcast]

This explains a very deep seated love for wolves, and later clans, and warriors. This explains the feeling some of us European men feel deep inside. The feeling of wanting to go to war, and fight. It makes you feel alive.

[@garrettelgin4742]

The Wild Hunt has parallels in other, non-indo European cultures. The Hawaiians have the huaka'i pō, known as Nightmarchers in English. The huaka'i pō is a retinue of vengeful ghosts that wanders the night coming before sacred chiefs, any who oppose them or violate taboo around them die

[@watermelonlalala]

I think the Hopi Kachina dancers are supposed to be ancestors come back at night during a certain season.

[@imjeff1170d]

I kept waiting on a linking to Halloween, thinking that was the next logical step.

[@cernunnos_lives]

Offerings would also be left for these group ceremonies (there's always a mom somewhere). Usually treats. There are still echoes of this ancient tradition.

[@LawrenceOnlineEnglish]

“Where wolf!” “There wolf” Great episode, enjoyed it immensely.

[@Wavemaninawe]

"Beer wolf are coming! Mind the ale!!"

[@1812bhw]

“It is in the young warrior that the life force manifests itself most abundantly. Everyone knows that.” Lol

[@thegalli]

bronze age trick or treating "Trick or Treat! Oh, no treats? TRICK, WE BURNT YOUR HOUSE DOWN AND SALTED YOUR WELL"

[@RoganGunn]

I wonder if these old Indo-European practices have echoes in the Irish/Celtic Samhain, and the subsequent Christian traditions of All Hallows' Eve and the Latin-American Day of the Dead festivals? Seems even the practice of trick-or-treating is reminiscent of the expectation of taking a household's food and beer, behaviour tolerated for that one night only? Coincidence? Or descendant traditions half remembered by the descendant Indo-European cultures? The time of year seems to be a bit different though... Interesting to read some of the other commenters ' local European traditions around Carnevale and Yule too.

[@MrAwsomenoob]

Kinda reminds me of how going door to door on Halloween comes from the practice of showing hospitality to the dead.

[@o.t112]

I would love a video on the wild hunt it seems very fascinating.

[@ThomasTee]

This kind of reminds me of the "Krampusumzüge" (krampus parade) back home. Nice to know that this is rooted in such deep history.

[@DanDavisHistory]

It's very difficult to "prove" many of these practices date back to certain times because generally these things were unrecorded until very recently. And traditions developed differently in every place. But I think there is enough evidence to suggest these traditions have a common ancestor. And either way, the Krampusumzüge is a wonderful tradition, I'm very pleased to see it embraced and continued.

[@watermelonlalala]

@@DanDavisHistory If Hollywood embraces it, I would be wary.

[@josephmalenab7866]

i did not know about this thank you my surname is malenab austronesian ancestors they still live on with the peoples this is so interesting i almost worship my ancestors all saints day etc thank you again and cheers with mead

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you Joseph, I appreciate your support.

[@vanrensburgsgesicht]

I remember from Kershaws book that the Koryos had sometimes girls as companions, which were called bitch or she-wolf. And Romulus and Remus were nursed by a she-wolf, Lupa which can also mean whore. Then it is said that Romulus invited "displaced persons, refugees and exiles ", that is mainly men, into his founded settlement. And that they, therefore, had to rob the women of the Sabines. This sounds to me as if Rome was founded by a Koryos of the Latins, and it was originally their compound.

[@waltonsmith7210]

Is there a connection between these rituals and Halloween trick or treating?

[@DanDavisHistory]

It's been suggested but it's hard to prove and many experts disagree

[@waltonsmith7210]

The similarities are striking to me: the reversal of regular norms (the 'trick' part of trick or treat), the connection with the dead, the wearing of the masks by young people-it seems unlikely to be a coincidence, but what do I know!

[@DanDavisHistory]

Yes you're right, it does seem very similar and it's hard to believe it couldn't be linked in some way. Traditions like this tend to perpetuate especially in rural areas eg rural Ireland in this case.

[@williammcguinness6664]

@@DanDavisHistory have you ever researched the fiennia of ancient Ireland, young warriors were sent into the wild to fend for themselves and hone their warrior skills

[@johndanielharold3633]

@@williammcguinness6664 Have you heard of the medieval Díberg? It translates roughly as the un-men! They lived as bandits and dressed in black. Although they wore their hair long, the front of their heads were shorn from ear to ear. Many young noblemen would join their ranks and only later accept their responsibilities to society.

[@danielpokus]

I come from rural part of Czechia and there is strange practice on Saint Nicholas day, very similiar to the german one involving Krampus band, the czech variant being “Čert“ I personally participate myself as a “Čert“ every year with group of friends and it is long running tradition in the area. This video made me see some paralles. Namely the fact that mask often carved of wood are present, we wear animal pelts and hides to cover ourself and we paint our bodies and faces black and red. Cow horns are attached to the head and a wolf tail is tied to your waist. Our role is to roam the streets shouting, stick out tongue, run on our four and act like animals. Then you break in to people houses and scare the children trying to snatch them in a potato bags and take them literally to the “Underworld“ unless they persuade you they have been good kids this year and kept their manners. The leader of the band is old wise man calming and controlling the band and interrogating the children. Often make them swear an oath to be better moral kids next year or sing a traditional song. There is also often a fair lady traveling with the group to comfort the children and give them gifts and treats afterwards. The whole thing is of course a play for the children. The modern less intense version and more christian version has the old wise man “Mikuláš“ dress almost like a pope, the fair lady is literally called Angel “Anděl“ and is dressed like one with wings and halo and the “Čert“ walks around with devil pitchfork. The tradition is in decline due to most people arguing that it is traumatic to the children. But in villages and rural areas people seek us out to visit their houses and perform the tradition even offering money for it. I myself loved the tradition as kid even though i was truly scared at times and I am honored to pass the tradition on. Thank you for your work and helping me realize that we are still distantly conected to the Bronze age people and our ancestors.

[@anastasiabartus2044]

ahhhhhmazing!! so elucidating in regards to the present state of affairs called modern living.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you.

[@Gladius-]

I would be interested to hear about the history of the wild hunt. Please keep up the good work. Regards.

[@DanDavisHistory]

Thank you.

[@ScetathGaming]

Yeeeesss! Wildhunt Video!! :D loving this stuff

[@mrrogue1763]

Unbelievable content!! ❤️ I came across your videos today & i have been binge watching the great content you offer. Much appreciated mate keep up the awesome work 😊👍

[@DanDavisHistory]

Glad you found the channel, thank you.

[@mrrogue1763]

@@DanDavisHistory ❤️

[@teakwondochest3287]

In Switzerland we still have this ritual in some form. Once a year children below the age of 18 go from house to house late during night. There the houseowners leave presents for the children. If they are not greeted by a present, they will throw egges at the house, steal a wooden bench or wrap a car in toilpet paper, blow up the mailbox etc

[@DanDavisHistory]

Quite right too! Wonderful, thank you for sharing this.

[@roryross3878]

Fascinating stuff ser! 👏👏👏

[@cyrkielnetwork]

Wild hunt has origin in meteorological phenomena. Before storms air pressure drasticly droping, and then rise again after the storm. Sometimes difference in air pressure is enough to kill people and storm destroy houses, crops, trees etc. Wild hunt is still a thing and you can see it's effect in death reports. Now we just know how it works.

[@konradkubicki4671]

There seem to be some similarities with roman festival of Lupercalia. Which as far as I know was the oldest of italic festivals celebrated in classical era.