Next month EN Coxhead’s magnificent pumpkins will be going on sale in plenty of time for Halloween. But why do we carve pumpkins for Halloween, and where does this tradition come from?
Celtic and Christian tradition
The tradition of carving pumpkins for Halloween, also known as jack-o’-lanterns, has its roots in ancient Celtic and Christian tradition. However, the use of pumpkins specifically is a relatively recent development in the UK.
The original tradition of carving lanterns comes from Ireland, where people used to carve turnips or potatoes and place a candle inside to ward off evil spirits. This practice was associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. When Irish immigrants took this tradition to America in the 19th century, they discovered that pumpkins were more readily available, and easier to carve than turnips. So, pumpkins became the preferred choice, and the tradition quickly spread throughout the country.
Influence of American Culture
In the UK, the use of pumpkins for Halloween only became popular in the late 20th century, largely influenced by American culture. Prior to that, turnips or beets were traditionally used. These vegetables were hollowed out and carved with scary faces, similar to the American pumpkin tradition.
The switch from turnips to pumpkins in the UK was mainly due to the larger size and easier carving process of pumpkins, with UK growers rising to the challenge of finding suitable pumpkin varieties to grow in our somewhat cooler climate. Today, pumpkins are widely used in the UK and pumpkin carving has become a popular activity during the Halloween season.
Overall, while the tradition of carving lanterns has ancient roots, the use of pumpkins in the UK is a recent 20th century development, owing its adoption to the influence of American culture.
Coming Soon – EN Coxhead Home-Grown Pumpkins!
EN Coxhead’s magnificent home-grown pumpkins will be available for trade sale later next month. To enquire please call our sales office on 01772 616902 or email on info@encoxhead.co.uk
