• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Human Interest / Halloween traditions could have evolved out of the harvest

Halloween traditions could have evolved out of the harvest

October 31, 2012 By Radio Iowa Contributor

Some Halloween traditions Iowans are celebrating today have roots in ancient Irish farms. Anne Effland is an agricultural historian and says a few everyday farming practices in 800 B.C. have morphed into our modern ways. October 31st was the last day of the Celtic New Year and livestock were rounded up and brought closer to home.

Effland says some Druids today still hold animal slaughter rituals. “It may have developed from the practice of killing animals at the end of the harvest period to reduce the number of animals you’re going to feed and you can prepare your meat to be available throughout the winter,” Effland says.

As for wearing spooky costumes, it was believed that on the last day of the Celtic New Year, spirits of those who died during the previous year would return to visit family and friends — so the Celts donned disguises or scary get-ups.

Effland says, “There is some research that suggests the dressing up was a way to scare them off.” She says the ritual of bonfires on Halloween night was part of their end-of-harvest festivities as well.

By Karla James

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Human Interest, News

Featured Stories

Final employee who was there at the launch of the Iowa Lottery to retire

No more USPS mail in Iowa prisons; inmates to get copies of mail

State officials warn of influx of fake prescription drugs laced with fentanyl

‘Brain-eating amoeba’ discovered in Taylor County lake

Cedar Rapids therapist’s relationship with student leads to years in prison

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Hutchinson calls Iowa State a perfect fit

Northern Iowa’s Farley touts new practice facility

First minor league game gets things started tonight at Field of Dreams site

Knoxville set to host sprint car racing’s biggest event

Iowa State basketball builds on its identity

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC