What were weird ways people conjured spirits in Early America?īannatyne explains some interesting ways people tried to predict their futures: Irish Halloween begging always involved a masquerade and some sort of good-natured bribe, but who did the begging and what they were after varied from region to region.” (66) Once charitable in nature, “souling” took a popular turn as it evolved over the years. The custom of begging for food from house to house on Halloween came from the old Catholic soul-cake custom. While Bannatyne cannot fully explain why we allow our children to become panhandlers during Halloween, she does offer this interesting description: The fat orange harvest vegetable was quickly substituted for the turnip, and the carved-out, snaggle-toothed Halloween jack-o’-lantern was born.” (78) Bannatyne claims, “When the Irish immigrants arrived in America, they delighted in the size and carving potential of the native pumpkin. How did the pumpkin become a popular Halloween symbol?īannatyne argues that once upon a time “Irish villagers” made lanterns from turnip or beet roots. Here are a few of my questions and the answers I was able to find: Her book spends little time discussing Halloween’s medieval roots, opting to focus more on how Americans have celebrated the holiday. Instead, she’s showing how the holiday evolved in America. Now, before our Wiccan patrons get bent out of shape, Bannatyne is not arguing Americans invented Halloween. I was lucky enough to find Lesley Pratt Bannatyne’s Halloween: An American Holiday, and American History. Halloween seems more popular than ever, and even though I’m not a big fan, I am curious to find out how all of these traditions started. 1 child, Magdalena Bannatyne Bay.This weekend thousands of children will dress up and walk door-to-door begging homeowners for candy. Member National Movement Theatre Association, Massachusetts Cultural Alliance (trustee 1983-1989), Boston Resident Theatre Alliance (president 1986-1987), Stagesource. Lesley Pratt Bannatyne has been listed as a notable company director, educator, actor by Marquis Who's Who. Instructor Institute Contemporary Dance, Boston, 1982-1984, Mirage Conservatory, Boston, 1986-1988.

Daughter of David Robert Bannatyne and Janet Richardson.īachelor, Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts, 1975.Ĭo-artistic director, choreographer, actor, adapter, Studebaker Movement Theater Company, Boston, since 1978. Member National Movement Theatre Association, Massachusetts Cultural Alliance (trustee 1983-1989), Boston Resident Theatre Alliance (president 1986-1987), Stagesource.īannatyne, Lesley Pratt was born on Augin Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States. Recipient National Education Association award, 1982, Merit Aid award 1980-1993. Lesley Pratt Bannatyne, American Actor, director, performing arts company director, educator.

Lesley pratt bannatyne