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Location

Message

Date Posted

What fruit or vegetable was used to carve the first jack 'o lantern? It wasn't a pumpkin!

10/31/2004 5:49:15 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

It was a "Runkelrübe". However, I don't know the exact English term for it.

Martin

10/31/2004 5:52:07 PM

[email protected]

I think they were Turnips.

10/31/2004 5:56:13 PM

[email protected]

The Irish were the First to carve Vegetables, and they started by carving Turnips. When they immigrated to the US they found Pumpkins to be much easier to Carve
Eddy

10/31/2004 5:58:55 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

yes, that's what a "Runkelrübe" is: turnip, mangel. I looked it up now...

And it is like Eddy said. When they came to the US they found that the pumpkins were easier and more suitable as they were already hollow inside.

Martin

10/31/2004 6:15:48 PM

North Ga

Yes, turnips.

10/31/2004 6:49:35 PM

Aldie, VA

Turnips, yep.

Stingy Jack of the Lantern used a hollowed turnip to hold a coal ember while he wandered the darkness between Heaven and Hell. He was too mean to have in Heaven and the Devil didn't want him either.

In Scotland it is also believed that not only benevolent spirits walk the earth during Hallowmas -- ancestorial spirits walk as well. In some households they still set an empty place at the dinner table to accomodate any visiting spirits.

At my house we carve Celtic and Pictish pumpkins in honor of our Scottish and Irish ancestors and I have started a graveyard of tombstones dedicated to them. We had a lot of fun this Halloween and many visitors to our house came to see the graveyard and pumpkins instead of asking for tricks or treats.

Oidhche Shamnha Shona!
Ròn
(Roan)

10/31/2004 8:11:59 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

ahhhh but why do we carve Jack O lanterns....is the real question. The story goes a man named Jack made a deal with the devil. When the devil came to collect he tricked him with a Jack-o-Lantern.

10/31/2004 8:35:51 PM

Webster, NY

Jack tricked the devil so he wouldn't be sent to hell. But he was too bad to be sent to heaven. So he walked the earth, with a carved turnip to light his way.

10/31/2004 10:23:28 PM

Wichita, KS

turnips

11/1/2004 6:46:21 AM

Montoursville, PA

Ya all better be glad the Americans changed from turnips to pumpkins. Turnip pie is a horrible thought. Turnip ice cream is even worse. :)

11/1/2004 9:37:54 AM

Massachusetts

Turnips are the best!

11/1/2004 12:54:58 PM