One of the most difficult subjects for a historian to explore is the area of folk traditions and practices. The affairs of kings and queens, the great events on battlefields and in parliaments - these are always well-documented. But most of us are not kings, generals or prime ministers! How our ancestors lived their lives and marked seasons of the year through ceremonies and celebrations is a fascinating, if elusive, subject to study. Halloween is certainly one of the most interesting of all.
Halloween's origins lie in the Celtic past, a date bound up with the British heritage that so many Americans share. It likely emerged from "Samhain,'' the celebration of the Celtic New Year. Samhain was not the Celtic Lord of the Dead as some claim; there was no such deity in their mythology.
Ancient people lived on the land and were therefore extremely sensitive to the seasons of the year. Late October marked the end of the season of light and the beginning of dark winter. It was a time of transition and, not surprisingly, one filled with both hope and anxiety. This "turning of the year'' was a moment when spiritual forces, both good and evil, were immanent. While the Celts did not believe that Samhain brought demons out to walk upon the earth (contrary to what you might find on various Internet sites), they did believe, for example, that the dead might try to contact the living. It was, in short, a special time for people who believed that their world was filled with powers beyond their control. It was a religious holiday, not a night for devil worship.
As for "Halloween'' proper, it takes its name from "All Hallow's Eve,'' the night before "All Saint's Day,'' a Christian festival begun in the early Middle Ages to honor those who had died in the faith. Some claim that the festival was intended to counter the pagan ceremonies of the previous day. I confess that, while this might be true, it seems to be only inference. (Again, the confident assertions you find on the Internet are not necessarily backed by historical evidence.) As far as I know, no medieval writer made the connection, however inviting it may be. Whatever the reasons for selecting Nov. 1 as All Saint's Day, the evening before, which "hallowed'' it, did not lose its significance in the popular culture of the British Isles.
Until the late 19th century, Halloween was rarely celebrated in America. It was too closely associated with the Catholic festival of All Saints to be enjoyed by the Protestant majority. After the Civil War, Halloween became more popular, thanks largely to new waves of immigrants from Ireland and England. Over the last century, it has continued to grow in popularity to the point where it now trails only Christmas among American festivals. From the ancient Celts to modern Americans, this autumn festival demonstrates the diversity and vitality of popular culture across the centuries. It is part of the rich pageant of history in which we all have a leading role.
Dr. Bruce Brasington is a professor of history at West Texas A&M University. He can be reached at 651-2426.
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