For many students at Berkeley High School, Halloween has held a special place in their hearts since they were young. It’s widely considered one of the most memorable holidays for kids, not only because it is non-religious/political, but also because it is dedicated exclusively to the enjoyment and pleasure of kids. While it is a favorite of many, few know the true origins of the holiday, including what it celebrates, how it came into fruition, and where it was initially celebrated.
Halloween club leaders and sophomores Mayssa Harrati and Niko Joslin-Gramstorff have opinions about Halloween that align in many ways, though there are also key differences on their outlooks. “I love Halloween. It’s our favorite holiday,” Harrati said. Both Harrati and Joslin-Gramstorff find Halloween to be the hardest holiday to politicize, which is why it is loved by so many people. Harrati compared Halloween to Christmas, saying, “I know so many people who say: I disagree with Christians, so I don’t celebrate Christmas.”
“During Christmas, I would see a bunch of stuff on my Instagram that’s like, ‘remember Jesus’, or ‘remember the reason for the season,’” Harrati said. Harrati also mentioned that they see similar videos on Instagram for the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving, two popular holidays that are politically and religiously charged. “(These holidays) are also kind of about class and money, because you have to go out and buy presents, a ton of food, fireworks,” Joslin-Gramstorff explained, drawing a crucial difference, “On Halloween, everyone gets candy.”
He adds that the reason Halloween is so enjoyable is because for many, especially for children who celebrate, it revolves around candy and nothing more. Over the last couple centuries, Halloween has strayed away from what it initially was, while retaining fundamental aspects of its roots.
When asked to guess what the origins of Halloween are based on how we celebrate it currently, Harrati predicted it started out as a German holiday where elders gave out oranges. Joslin-Gramstorff provided an insightful response, saying, “(October 31) was an evil night, and all the spirits would come and scratch on people’s doors. The line between life and death would blur.”
According to BHS senior Cole Geurtsen, “Halloween originated from a bunch of ancient holidays about cleansing your community of evil spirits, or something like that.” Geurtsen believes that Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays, because of the openness that it invites. “It’s more of a culture, instead of just a holiday,” Geurtsen said.
“I’ve spent Halloween with people every year,” Geurtsen said. He believes that the politically and religiously neutral nature of the holiday maks it possible for communities to come together to celebrate. “I think the holiday is aimed towards kids, but is really for everyone,” he said. Geurtsen extrapolated on this claim, “It’s a holiday for young people, parents, neighbors, and entire streets or towns to get together and make connections.”