It was a dark, stormy afternoon in Dallas. Bone chilling gusts of wind caught students off guard as they rushed across campus. The stairs of Dallas Hall were empty. The entire building seemed abandoned, except for the commotion on the 3rd floor.
Last night the Medieval Club offered students, faculty, family, and friends a chance to file into McCord Auditorium to hear professor Jeremy Adams offer his theories about the historical origins of what we now call Halloween. Adams’ theories trace the roots of Halloween from A.D. 354 to the present day, discussing the roots of traditions that are still practiced today.
Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve is a celebration that comes before Nov. 1 and 2, which are both days for remembering the dead. Nov. 1, although the date has changed more than once over time, is All Saints Day.
Adams explained that many times this was a day of feasting and participating in “cara cognatio,” or celebrating kinship with the dead. For many people, these celebrations may start the night before All Saints Day, or on All Hallow’s eve. Nov. 2 considered Dia de los Muertos, or the day of the dead. On this day all people who have passed are celebrated, especially by families and loved ones.
Celebrations of death, or birth into the next world in certain religions, vary from culture to culture. Adams said that in Roman society, people often had many family members in the community, so they held picnics at the cemeteries to spend time with their loved ones.
Often they would pour liquid into a small hole in front of the tombstone to share with their dead loved one.
In England, it was believed that souls in Purgatory that took the form of witches, ghosts, and toads could be helped with “soul-cakes” and fruit.
Adams explained that many times when people needed to gather “soul-cakes” or fruit, they would request them from others by using a particular phrase. Although it is often done for different reasons, in today’s society, the common phrase “Trick-or-treat” is still rewarded with treats and candy.
Jack-o-lanterns also find their roots in England, or at least a close relative. Many people carved turnips and lighted them with candles as decoration. The pumpkin is an American version of the turnip-lantern.
Although its roots begin in Europe, many of the Halloween traditions celebrated today were developed and evolved in America.
The elaborate costumes and decorations are all parts of Western culture that are now spreading to other areas of the world.
Although it is not Adams’s first year giving this lecture, it is the Medieval Club’s first time to sponsor it.
Member Diane “Willow” Hartenstein says they plan to host the event in future years, as well as a large feast in the spring.
