October 6, 2008

Halloween history haunts today's traditions

"The origins of Halloween, which goes back more than a thousand years, have a lot to do with fertility, the harvest and the souls of the dead, but not witches, devils or vampires," says Melinda Zook, an associate professor of medieval history. "Like all things in Western civilization, Halloween has its roots in our pagan, Roman and Christian past. It is a complex mixture of various ancient and medieval festivals, customs, rites and traditions."

Today's traditions of dressing in costumes and trick-or-treating are fairly modern and originated in Ireland and Scotland.

"Dressing in costume and soliciting treats from neighbors are watered down forms of guising," Zook says. "In 19th century Ireland, young children in their guises would go neighbor to neighbor begging for treats such as nuts and apples. In Scotland, children would visit neighbors in groups to earn their treats with a song, joke, poem, dance or trick."

Even the traditional costumes of vampires, witches, ghosts and devils were inspired by 19th century Scotland and Ireland.

"This is from the Celtic roots of the holiday when it was known as a time that spirits returned to earth," Zook says. "Because Oct. 31 was known as a night of evil spirits intent on doing harm, one dresses up as something fearsome in order to fool the spirits into thinking that you are indeed one of them."

Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Melinda Zook, (765) 494-4134, mzook@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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