Halloween traditions are tied to our heritage

Brenda Elliott 828-342-1511 All Hallows' Eve – now known as Halloween – came to these mountains with the first Scottish and Irish settlers. Its roots were in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated at the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. Samhain marked the end of summer, the final harvest, and the gathering home of the sheep. It was also the Celtic New Year and a time that the veil between the living and the Otherworld was said to be thin. During this time, it was believed that those from the Otherworld could visit the living. To honor ancestors, ward off evil spirits, and protect crops and livestock for the winter, bonfires were lit throughout the land. You might also find empty chairs and food for "invisible guests" in neighboring homes or have a setting in your own. With the spread of Christianity, the church grafted new feast days onto the pagan calendar. Nov. 1 became All Saints' Day, and the night before became All Hallows' Eve. The term "Halloween" is of Scottish origin, with "even" or "e'en" meaning "night" in Scots. Thus, our Scottish ancestors brought with them both Christian and Celtic traditions. Bonfires with singing and marshmallow roasting became a mountain tradition. "Guising" –children in costume "galoshin" (roaming) to collect treats, became what's now known as trick‑or‑treating. "Neep" lanterns (turnip lanterns) to ward off spirits became Jack-o-lanterns made from pumpkins. Samhain was also linked to myths, such as the Goddess Bride being overpowered by the winter goddess Cailleach, symbolizing the onset of darkness. It was a night of both celebration and caution – a time to commune with the dead and to protect against harmful forces. These ancient and Christian‑blended customs survived in rural Scotland and Ireland, especially in the Highlands and islands, and many still influence modern Halloween celebrations in our mountains. In the mid-1900s, mountain children carved jack-o-lanterns from pumpkins grown in the family garden. The "Jack" in Jack-o'-lantern refers to Stingy Jack, also known as Jack the Smith, Drunk Jack, or Flaky Jack. He was a notorious trickster in Ireland, famous for deceiving friends, family, and even the Devil himself. According to the folktale, Jack once invited the Devil for a drink but tricked him into turning into a coin to pay the tab. Jack trapped the Devil with a silver cross, forcing him to promise not to claim Jack's soul. Later, Jack tricked the Devil again by making him climb a tree to carve a cross into the bark, gaining yet another promise that his soul would remain untouched. When Jack eventually died, he was denied entry into Heaven due to his sinful life, and the Devil, honoring his promise, refused to take him to Hell. As a result, Jack was condemned to wander the earth in darkness. To help him see, the Devil gave him a burning coal, which Jack placed inside a hollowed-out turnip, creating the first "Jack of the Lantern." Both our Irish and Scottish ancestors brought their traditions with them when they settled in these mountains – the mountains that reminded them of their homelands. Today, jack-o'-lanterns are a central symbol of Halloween, blending folklore, seasonal harvest customs and playful spookiness. The glowing pumpkin represents Jack's lantern, a reminder of his mischief and eternal wandering. The stories of our history have evolved into a festive tradition that combines storytelling, artistry, and the community celebration of PumpkinFest and Bidwell Street Trick or Treat. Have a safe and fun Halloween! Brenda Elliott can be reached at beejayelliott@aol.com

Halloween traditions are tied to our heritage

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