On the 1st of November, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, a time steeped in Ibizan traditions. But what customs are unique to Ibiza during this festival? Researcher Toni Manonelles sheds light on a few of them. According to Manonelles, Ibizan traditions on All Saints’ Day date back to ancient practices linked to the solar cycle and the seasonal equinox, marking the transition to winter. This celebration, now woven into the fabric of Ibizan culture, aligns with similar observances worldwide, each shaped by local beliefs and customs.
In Ibiza, All Saints’ Day focuses on remembering the deceased, those who have passed away. In the Christian faith, people believe these souls might reside in heaven, purgatory, or hell, depending on their deeds in life and how long they’ve been gone. Traditionally, Ibizan folklore holds that on the night of October 31st, the souls of the departed return to visit their families—a rare, extraordinary event observed only on this night.
From ancient rituals to modern-day celebrations
Many Ibizan traditions for All Saints’ Day share roots with modern-day Halloween. While dressing up and going door to door may feel modern, these customs were also practiced here in Ibiza. Children would ask, “Do you have anything for the souls?”—the precursor to today’s “Trick or treat?” Kids would visit homes with baskets, collecting seasonal fruits and nuts like pine nuts, almonds, or pomegranates. “In cases where families had nothing to offer, they would respond, ‘Not even for the living,’” Manonelles explains.
The tradition of cracking nuts during this time is another hallmark of Ibizan traditions, symbolising the seasonal fruits available then. This custom likely came from Catalonia, where it is known as “la castanyada,” adapted over time to the Ibizan landscape and local produce.
City and countryside differences in Ibizan traditions
The observance of these Ibizan traditions varied between the city and the countryside. In Ibiza Town (Vila), children participated in the tradition of asking for offerings for the souls, while rural areas practiced different customs. Another city tradition was eating “panellets”, sweet treats common in Catalonia but not widely found in the countryside.
Sweet rosaries, often gifted to children by their godparents or grandparents, were another element in Ibiza Town, though these too had Mallorcan origins. In the countryside, people marked the day with the tradition of cracking nuts and enjoying fritters.
Among other Ibizan traditions was the custom of leaving the table as it was after a meal, with a light left on and some food remaining. This was based on the belief that souls would visit their old homes that night. It was thought that while families slept, these souls would nourish themselves with what had been left out, guided by the light.
The following morning, people would rise early and make the bed quickly, believing that the souls, after eating, awaited a final rest. Manonelles explains another vital aspect of Ibizan traditions on All Saints’ Day: “Sweeping the house was not allowed, as it could risk sweeping a soul outside.”
These Ibizan traditions have gradually faded, especially as younger generations become less familiar with them. According to Manonelles, “Although these customs may be remembered in stories, as a living part of our culture, I don’t believe they will survive.”
