Halloween Traditions 

By Summer Adams 

Halloween is an interesting holiday, and it has so many different traditions. Here are some facts that Halloween enthusiasts may not know. 

(A Wartime Halloween) During World War II, sugar rationing was going on. This made it hard to produce sweet treats and because of this trick-or-treating was put on pause. Halloween festivities had to change. Communities focused less on trick-or-treating and more on other traditions. Even though sweets were low, when trick-or-treaters did come to people’s doors, they gave them anything that they could. 

The word “witch” comes from the old English word “wicce” which means wise woman. The word has been used from old English times and onward and is normally an insult. The word “witch” according to the Oxford English Dictionary also means “wise woman”. A lot of people think of a witch as an ill-natured person due to when the Salem witch trials were happening, but what a lot of people failed to notice is a lot of witches from that period where wiccan. Wiccans believe in light magic only which means that they didn’t put any bad intentions into the universe.  

In the 19th century people carved turnips instead of pumpkins. This tradition dates to Samhain a pagan festival that marked the end of summer. They would place lights inside turnips, potatoes, radishes, and beets and they believed that this would protect them from harm. 

Aiden Faiella, a student in Allied health/sports medicine said his favorite tradition is gathering in the living room and eating candy with his family while they reminisce about past loved ones. Race Prince, a student in Auto technology, said that he enjoys attending a Halloween party with his friends. 

There are many traditions when it comes to Halloween and it’s good to know where the traditions came from.