Children joyfully wander door to door with smiles plastered on their faces. They are all dressed in costumes they put time and effort into being perfect, ranging from fairies to werewolves. Each one is excited to collect sweet treats that will be devoured within a few days. This is what can be seen during the exciting tradition of trick-or-treating. Halloween has many traditions, from trick-or-treating to carving pumpkins; but where did all of these fun activities come from? There are multiple theories explaining why children dress up in all different kinds of costumes and go door to door to collect sugary treats.
When asked, most people had no clue as to where this tradition of trick or treating came from. Washingtonville students Emily Kelly and Chloe Bernstein were asked their opinions about Halloween fun. Chloe “still trick-or-treat[s] because it’s a fun activity, and [she] love[s] to get candy.” Although Emily no longer participates, she has “loved the tradition for as long as [she] can remember.” However, neither of them could answer where this activity came from. The Celts, Scottish, Irish, and Germans had various rituals resembling trick or treating, but how did it get to America?
The farthest this tradition traced back to is the ancient Celtic times, over 2,000 years ago. Former Washingtonville student, Isabella Sanchez, was knowledgeable on the subject. She stated that “the origins of Halloween stem from Celtic roots of the pagan holiday celebrated as a way to ward off spirits through Ireland and Scotland.”
According to Heather Thomas, from the library Library of Congress, the holiday is the Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season, Samhain. Celts would leave food out to satisfy passing Earth spirits traveling at night. While this explains the treats, there is further explanation for the costumes. Children began to involve light-hearted pranks in their Samhain traditions, which gained many names, the most popular being “Devil’s Night” or “Mischief Night.”
In the 16th century, Scottish children would go from home to home praying for the residents' deceased relatives in exchange for pastries. According to an article from Spring Arbor University, this ritual was known as “souling.” Eventually, souling evolved into “guising” as costumes entered the picture. Children believed that disguising themselves as evil spirits would prevent those creatures from harming them. In addition, the kids would go to their neighbors, asking for treats such as cakes, fruit, and money.
In Germany, children would venture house to house disguised in costumes. They would then challenge the neighbors to guess their true identity. If nobody were to guess correctly, the child would be rewarded with treats. Spring Arbor University presented the most proven answer as to how trick-or-treating in the United States came about in the 19th century. When Irish and Scottish immigrants came to America, they brought Mischief Night with them, adding the tradition to American culture.
While each culture has its own tradition mirroring trick-or-treating, Halloween in America has become one of the most celebrated and franchised holidays in the world.
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