Portugal’s Ancient Version of Trick-or-Treating

Long before modern candy, Portuguese children roamed neighborhoods on All Saints Day to collect soulmass cakes. They would sing to neighbors in exchange for bread and treats to honor the dead.

Known as Pao por Deus, this tradition has been practiced for centuries across Portugal. Children gather in groups and recite rhymes to ask for gifts of food, which once helped those in need during the winter. It remains a cherished way to connect with ancestors and community members. Even today, the spirit of the event persists as youngsters go door to door in many small towns.