The Pahan mask is a traditional wooden mask commonly used in Sri Lankan culture. It holds great significance and is often associated with healing rituals and exorcisms. The mask is intricately carved by skilled artisans and is usually made from natural materials such as wood, clay, or straw. The Pahan mask is known for its detailed and realistic features, depicting various supernatural beings and deities. This mask is primarily used as a vital element in traditional healing ceremonies, where it is believed to possess spiritual powers. It is commonly worn by the healer, who performs rituals and chants to drive away evil spirits and bring about healing.

What to know about trunk-or-treating, a trick-or-treating alternative

A car is open at a trunk-or-treat in 2014. The events allow children to collect candy from trunks of cars gathered in parking lots.

This Halloween, some trick-or-treaters, instead of trekking through neighborhoods, will opt for a more stationary form of candy collecting: trunk-or-treating.

Trunk-or-treating is an alternative to trick-or-treating, in which parents and guardians gather their vehicles in one spot, typically a parking lot, open their trunks and give out candy as children walk from car to car.

Some candy-givers decorate their trunks with scenes and themes, such as pumpkin patches, spiderwebs and monsters.

Here's a rundown of how it started and how to find one nearby.

How did it start?

Early mentions of trunk-or-treating date as far back as 1994 and are commonly associated with churches, who present the events as safer alternatives to door-to-door trick-or-treating.

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A 1994 article in The Birmingham News, in Alabama, centered on the Hilldale Baptist Church of Center Point, where children up through the sixth grade could participate. The gathering touted attractions such as a ball pit, a game room and prizes, including bicycles.

By 2003, the Providence Presbyterian Church in South Carolina was hosting its second annual trunk-or-treat, with hot dogs served for dinner, according to an article in The Greenville News.

People gather at a trunk-or-treat in 2014. Scott Maentz/Flickr Creative Commons hide caption

People gather at a trunk-or-treat in 2014.

Trunk-or-treating has also been referred to as "Halloween tailgating."

Though often dubbed as the safer option to trick-or-treating, child psychologist David Miller of the University of Albany says there is little evidence pointing to trick-or-treating being dangerous.

Worries such as people giving out poisoned candy and razor blades in apples started in the 1960s and have been debunked.

"I think one of the things about [trick-or-treating] that we don't sufficiently appreciate is a sense of trust we put in our neighbors when kids go out trick-or-treating," he said. "And in most cases, that trust is well-placed."

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But he said trunk-or-treating does provide a good option for those who live in rural areas where there are longer distances between homes.

"I don't think that either trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treat — that one is inherently better than the other," he said. "It all comes down to personal preference. It's an enjoyable activity, and it should be fun for people, so whatever works for them is fine."

How do I participate?

Trunk-or-treat events are held at lots of places, including schools, churches, YMCAs, courthouses and even car dealerships.

The events are often listed on Facebook, so that's a good place to start to find one near you. Some of them have games, contests and arts and crafts.

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For ideas on decorating your trunk, social media sites such as Pinterest and TikTok can give you do-it-yourself ideas and walk you through instructions on setting them up.

For those who don't want to DIY, several major retailers sell pre-made kits to install on trunks.

25 DIY Trunk or Treat Ideas for Cars and Trucks in 2023

Get set to win Halloween with these easy projects that won't break your budget!

Halloween will be here before you can say "Boo!" (seriously, can you believe how fast the summer flew by?) and with it comes some of the year's biggest fun: scary movies, treats galore, costumes for the kiddos—and us grown-ups, too—and decorating the house inside and out. But can you ever really have too many Halloween activities? We say "No way!"—which is why we've rounded up the best Trunk or Treat ideas for Halloween 2023.

If you haven't heard of autumn's latest and greatest tradition, it basically involves taking trick or treating on the road, often to a church or school parking lot. Community members, friends, and neighbors dress up their vehicle trunks and cargo spaces for the holiday and hand out goodies to all who come calling. The whole thing has the feel of a street festival crossed with a parade, with a heaping helping of block party thrown in, and it's an absolute blast.

A big part of the pleasure is seeing how everyone has outfitted their cars, SUVs, and trucks with themed decor, as seen in the outstanding Trunk or Treat examples we've collected below. From ideas based on pop culture including Super Mario Bros. and Harry Potter, to stellar settings re-creating an Egyptian tomb and a spider's den, each of these projects is a sure-fire witchy season winner. Whether you're a Trunk or Treat first-timer or an old pro, you'll definitely find one to help you get your haunt on this Halloween.

Trunk or Treat Ideas 2022 [Decoration Guide]

Ahh, Halloween. It’s the time of year when kids don their best costumes and hunt for as much candy as they can. Come Halloween night, parents release their children to roam their neighborhoods on the prowl for candy. But another option rose in popularity lately, and many parents prefer it: trunk or treat. You probably heard about it before, or even participated in it. Whether you’re familiar with the concept, we’ll give you the scoop on what it’s all about. We’ll also give you some great trunk or treat ideas for you to try!

It is commonly worn by the healer, who performs rituals and chants to drive away evil spirits and bring about healing. The Pahan mask is believed to have the ability to communicate with the supernatural realm and provide protection against evil forces. In addition to its role in healing rituals, the Pahan mask also holds cultural significance in Sri Lankan festivals and celebrations.

What is trunk or treat?

Trunk or treat is an alternative to traditional trick or treating. Cars loaded with candy in their trunks park in school or church parking lots (hence the name “trunk or treat”). Parents and guardians accompany their kids as they go from trunk to trunk stuffing their bags with precious sweets. People think it was started by churches to give kids a safer way to get their treats during the holiday. Many non-religious communities take part in it, too. Parents can keep a close eye on their children while the kids still get the trick-or-treating experience. Traditional trick or treating isn’t practical in some neighborhoods either, so this provides children with a fun Halloween experience. Parents also get the chance to catch up with their friends while their little ghouls celebrate. It’s a sweet deal for everyone! Besides, it’s exciting seeing everyone’s car decked out in cool trunk or treat decorations! But when is trunk or treat anyway? Is it on the 31st, too? Well, we’ll answer that for you!

When is trunk or treat?

Trunk or Treat normally doesn’t take place on Halloween, although it can. Schools and other communities often plan it for the Saturday or Sunday before the holiday. Some parents still enjoy traditional trick or treating on the 31st, so they like it when it’s on a different day. Sometimes it takes place at night, but it’s usually in the evening while it’s still light out. But how does it all work, you may ask? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you!

How does trunk or treat work?

A group (like a school or church) organizes the event and volunteers purchase candy, decorations, and other supplies. On that night, parents park their cars in the parking lot and begin decorating their open trunks. Once all the cars are decorated and the candy is in place, then the fun begins! Kids go from trunk to trunk, grabbing sweets and hanging out with friends.

Now that you know more about this fun alternative, you’re probably thinking of how to decorate! Do you need some trunk or treat decoration ideas? Or do you want to explore different trunk or treat themes? Don’t get overwhelmed, friends–we’ve got you covered with some easy trunk or treat ideas in all sorts of themes.

It is often showcased in colorful processions and performances, where dancers wear the mask and portray different characters and mythological figures. These performances aim to entertain and educate the audience about traditional beliefs and folklore. The Pahan mask also serves as a form of artistic expression and craftsmanship. Its intricate designs and attention to detail showcase the talent and creativity of the artisans who create them. Over the years, the Pahan mask has become a popular souvenir for tourists visiting Sri Lanka, representing the rich cultural heritage of the country. Overall, the Pahan mask is an important symbol in Sri Lankan culture, representing healing, protection, and artistic expression. It is a testament to the beliefs and traditions of the people and continues to be an integral part of their cultural identity..

Reviews for "The role of the Pahan mask in community identity: Examining its significance in local festivals"

1. John Doe - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Pahan mask rfr2". The characters were poorly developed and the plot was confusing and lacked coherence. It felt like the filmmaker tried to cram too many ideas into one film and it resulted in a mess. The special effects were also subpar, which further detracted from the overall experience. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this movie.

2. Jane Smith - 2/5 - "Pahan mask rfr2" had potential, but it fell short for me. The story started off interesting, but quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The pacing was uneven, with moments of intense action followed by long periods of dullness. The acting was mediocre at best and some of the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I had high hopes for this film, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

3. Mike Johnson - 1/5 - This movie was a complete waste of time. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, the plot was nonsensical, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The whole film felt like a cheap knockoff of better sci-fi movies. The visuals were lackluster and the special effects were laughable. I regretted watching "Pahan mask rfr2" and would advise others to steer clear of it.

4. Sarah Thompson - 2/5 - I didn't hate "Pahan mask rfr2", but I didn't enjoy it either. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The pacing was off, making the movie feel longer than it actually was. Some scenes felt unnecessary and dragged the film down. Overall, it just didn't leave a lasting impression and I wouldn't watch it again.

Revealing the unknown: Uncovering the forgotten myths and legends behind the Pahan mask