Halloween and the legend of Jack-o'-lantern

Around October in the Anglo-Saxon countries there is a flurry of activities for Halloween. The delicious bakery scents of cakes and cookies coming out of their ovens almost reach Italy and the creativity of grandmothers and mothers is admirable because they churn out, rather than sweets, funny and bizarre creatures. Have you ever given a look at Pinterest in the baking section? That sweet chapter is a delight for the eyes and for the soul.

The legend of Jack-o'-lantern

For those who don’t know the history of Halloween, it's is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain. Its name comes from the Old Irish and, more or less, it means the end of summer. Halloween is celebrated between October 31 and November 1. The tradition wants that it is linked to the famous Irish legend of Jack, a crafty blacksmith. He was also a stingy drunkard, who tricked the devil dodging hell but that was not accepted in Heaven for his sins. So he was forced to wander forever in search of a haven for rest. Halloween is therefore the day when Jack goes in search of a shelter. The inhabitants of each country are required to hang a lantern outside their doors to indicate to the unhappy soul that their home is not a place for him.

The Halloween tradition was brought to America by the Irish people when they emigrated there. In America they replaced the original turnip with the pumpkin, because in America it is more widespread.

Why we imported Halloween?

Unfortunately, in our popular traditions there isn’t any Jack-o'-lantern, we don’t know him because no one has ever told us his story, when we were kids. But on November 1, we have the custom to gather in the whole family with uncles, grandparents, grandchildren, husbands, wives, girlfriends and pray the rosary for our dead persons. Then the lights are lowered and while we eat roasted chestnuts in the shadow, we tell ghost stories among the startled amazement of the children. Then on November 2nd is the All Soul’s Day, the day of remembrance and our cemeteries become colorful gardens full of flowers in memory of those no longer with us.

So Halloween was imported for a commercial reason neglecting its history and origins: at this point I wonder if it is right to celebrate here a Halloween that doesn’t belong to us. I also wonder whether it is right to mix the customs. Does this mix cause a bit of confusion and especially does it level off our beautiful cultural differences?

Sources

Wikipedia — All Soul's day

History.com — Jack-o'-lantern