Practiced On

All Hallows' Eve, All Souls' Day

Country of Origin 

Medieval Ireland and England

Similar/Related Traditions:

Guising, Mumming, Souling, Trunk-or-Treating, Calaveritas

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Medieval practice where the poor went door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for "soul cakes" and/or money

Brief Bio

Souling was a medieval practice where the poor would go door-to-door on All Hallows' Eve and All Souls' Day, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for "soul cakes" or food and money. This tradition is considered a precursor to modern trick-or-treating, where children in costumes ask for treats. The cakes, sometimes called "soul cakes," were a type of sweet biscuit often marked with a cross.