Abby's Inklings: History of Halloween

By Abby Cowels
Associate Editor

The history of Halloween traditions in the U.S. are mixed and muddled with hundreds of years of cultural collusion. Its Pagan roots can be traced back over a thousand years to the Celtic origins from which it came.

Some of the earliest American settlers came from Ireland and Scotland to seek opportunity. Without the prosecution from the church, they continued their practices to celebrate the end of the season, known as Samhain.

Most today know it as Halloween. It’s a day of sweets, carving pumpkins and, most recognizably, adorning oneself with all of the extravagance and absurdity that would otherwise be observed as peculiar.

Though looking back on the settlers’ Samhain rituals, it is clear how we got here and in all of its resemblance to our modern holiday.

Trick-or-treating was not all tossed confectionaries for the Celts, but more like a seat at the dinner table … except they didn’t want to let you inside. Families would leave full plates and other appetizing offerings at their doorsteps in respect for the dead.

Today’s jack-o-lanterns would rot in fear of the grotesqueness of the root vegetables that used to be hung to ward off evil spirits. Vegetables like turnips were carefully carved with human-like faces, then painted for a more compelling effect.

One of the lesser practiced traditions are the bonfires. It would seem that this would be the perfect time of the year to socialize around a hot roaring fire, but because of rumors around naked dancing and animal sacrifice, it faded from the more conventional practices.

Equally as conspicuous but not as concerning to the public; the tradition of dressing up has never left the mainstream. Fashion being a bit more palatable than ritual offerings, has evolved into probably the most important part of Halloween for many.

Unlike Samhain, Halloween is accepted as a broad, non-religious holiday today. For many like myself, who have gotten older and found little time for the more dedicated activities, things like sipping hot apple cider and watching a good horror film is the ideal Halloween night.

Although, I do usually keep a costume in my closet. Just in case …