Halloween Around the World: Influence Without Erasure

Halloween travels globally—but it should not erase distinct festivals of ancestors, saints and the dead.

Episode 29 of The Depths of Halloween. Elias, Mara and the Archivist debate the history, folklore and modern claims behind Halloween Around the World: Influence Without Erasure. The production distinguishes documented history from folklore and later reinterpretation where the evidence is uncertain.

Estimated scripted runtime: about 15.5 minutes before performance pacing.

Topics in this episode

• Global export
• Día de los Muertos
• Local hybrids
• Respectful curiosity

Sources and further reading

• Library of Congress: The Origins of Halloween Traditions
• Library of Congress: Halloween: Topics in Chronicling America
• Smithsonian Magazine: The Celtic Origins of Trick-or-Treating
• Smithsonian Magazine: When Halloween Was All Tricks and No Treats
• HISTORY: How Jack O’Lanterns Originated in Irish Myth