In the research I found that our traditional halloween customs are derived mainly from Northern Europe: Ireland and England in particular. However, some of our customs can be traced back to Italian roots. And, of course, there are many customs that have been created in America since the original idea was formulated. One tradition in particular seemed to have a clear travel pattern that was extremely interesting: the Jack o' Lantern.
The legend of the Jack o' Lantern originated in Ireland sometime in the 18th century. As the story goes, an Irishman by the name of Jack managed to trick the Devil into climbing a tree. As soon as the Devil did so, Jack carved a cross into the trunk, thus capturing the Devil in the branches. When Jack died, Heaven would not let him in for his sins, and Hell refused him for his trickery. So, he was forced to walk the earth forever. However, the Devil took pity on him (I know, it makes no sense) and gave him a small coal to light his path. Jack put the coal in a hollow turnip he had been eating, and thus created the first Lantern of Jack.
Because of its religious connection, the catholic church tolerated this tradition, and it managed to spread wherever the church spread. A specific example would include South America's Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). During which ceramic skulls and gourds are hollowed out and lit (a tradition carried over by the Spanish Conquistadors). So in essence, the United States had the tradition coming to them from both its English/Irish/Scottish immigrants, and it's southern neighbors. Quite the interesting example of transnationalism, right? After all, what is more spreadable than fun?
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