Over here we prefer to carve our jack o lanterns out of turnips. They're a bit harder especially since we're not allowed sharp objects. However hours of digging out the hard flesh with a teaspoon gives us time to reflect on our sins. Mother always makes a turnip pie with the dug out bits.
They're lit with a single candle and the wonderful aroma of turnip fills the house. Then at bedtime we're allowed to take it to our rooms and enjoy the delicious turnip that was cooked by the heat of a candle.
I read that carving turnips was a samhain tradition that began in Ireland over 2000 years ago. They used the carved turnips as lanterns to make their way home in the dark after the festivities. At some point, the Catholic church turned the dates of samhain into All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day and the holy day/holiday evolved into Halloween.
When Irish began immigrating to the New World, they discovered indigenous pumpkins and found them much easier to carve.
I'm glad that the old traditions are still alive in Gallic counties. And I must say that turnip pie sounds delicious. 🤢 Not to mention night time snacks of turnip baked by the heat of a candle. 😖 🤣
You kill me, Poppy. 🤣🤣🤣
Aside from carving turnips, do you practice any of the ancient traditions?
"Bonfires and feasting played a large part of the festivities. Food was prepared for both the living and the dead, bones of slaughtered cattle were cast into the communal fires, and household fires were left to burn out only to be reignited by the communal bonfire again.
"Ancestors were honoured during this time, often invited back into the home, but harmful spirits were still outside, ready to spirit away any unknown human. To venture out during Samhain was to risk being taken away by the sluagh, harmful spirits of the restless dead.
"So not to be recognised by the vengeful dead, folk would disguise themselves. Often donning costumes or grotesque masks before they went outside, to confuse and scare the restless dead."
We used to write our names on stones and throw them in the fire, next morning if your stone was broke then you would die that year. There's also one wear a guy wraps himself in pig skin jumps over the fire and chases kids, that's kinda died out but you'll see it on cards. You will get people spending the night at prehistoric sites but mostly they're just smoking pot.
Halloween and similar festivities are not at all in the realm of my concerns habits and life, but I like the pictures you show as illustrations. Sure there must be other vegetables, which can be really big, like the sugar beet, similar to turnips.
I would like to remind you that we live in a society where sensitivity and consideration is of the utmost importance. You probably think using turnips for jack o'lanterns is diverse and inclusive. But -- reality check -- it actually feeds into the harmful and outdated stereotypes that promote negative attitudes towards certain vegetables.
Furthermore, the term 'jack o'lantern' itself has gendered connotations. Traditionally, a lantern symbolizes strength and independence, which are qualities that are often associated with masculinity. By using the term 'jack o'lantern', we are reinforcing these gender stereotypes and perpetuating exclusionary attitudes towards women and non-binary individuals.
Therefore, I propose that we start using more gender-neutral terms when referring to Halloween decorations. Instead of 'jack o'lantern', we could start saying 'carved pumpkin' or 'decorative pumpkin'. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming Halloween for everyone, regardless of their gender identity.
@Constatine Well imagine if you grew up thinking that only Jack O'Lanterns can light up the night on Halloween. What about Jill O'Lanterns? Where are they? We can end this Halloween madness and it starts with you right now: www.gofundme.com/f/end-the-halloween-divide
We used to do that but as far as I know pumpkins are like a £1 in Asda at least when I was home. The great thing about turnip Jack o Lanterns is that you can dice the turnips up what you hollowed out and put them into a freezer back and freeze them.
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