28th of October 1999
Papin puntari, Veli-Matti Hynninen
Is fat sin? Or should we eat pumpkins? Should good people be thin or at least on a diet? Why most sermons nowadays talk of the horrors of obesity instead of salvation? What was the real reason why president Ahtisaari stepped down after only one term? Could there ever be an over-weight Miss Finland? Is your credibility based on your weight? Anne Puuronen, researcher of religions, sees similarities between dieting fervour and repentance. When people earlier used to go to a church to repent, nowadays they just exclaim: ”I should get on a diet” or ”I wonder how much calories this one has?” Puuronen claims the dieting craze contains spiritual needs and emotions, yearning for bliss and virtue. In a way, physical health and diet guarantee social approval. The leaner, the more approved. Should we approve this admiration of youth and grace?
As October nears its end a story of rather unusual pumpkin meal needs to be told. A long time ago an Irish rogue, Jack, was eating a pumpkin for lunch. Jack was known for his greediness and therefore barred from Heaven. That was not all, since he had got his life in a really bad dead-end by managing to cheat the Devil himself. And the Devil does not tolerate being cheated at all, since he considers it his privilege. No wonder Jack had got a life long ban of entering Hell, too.
There he was no admittance to Heaven or even to Hell. Poor homeless Jack wandering aimlessly, eating what he could and being generally miserable. But then, during his pumpkin meal a fiery brand flew at him. The Devil angrily tossed a flaming missile at Jack. Only barely he managed to block it with the pumpkin. The brand burnt the pumpkin hollow in seconds and turned it into a wondrous lantern. From now on life was easier for Jack, no longer he had to wander in darkness.
When the Irish moved to the Americas in 18th century they took Jack with his lantern with them. And on the new continent there was no limit of joy when childish Americans accepted Jack and started to festivities in his honour. Pumpkins were on the move and witches, ghosts and other denizens of the spirit world were called in too. Jack-o-lanterns were made by first carving a pumpkin hollow, then cutting holes for the eyes and the mouth and finally putting inside a candle. And the party was ready to begin.
Inventive Americans added ancient Celtic harvest traditions to their pumpkin feast. Spirits of the dead, who some people were fearful of, took part in the Celtic harvest festival. In order to disguise festive people from the spirits they had to wear masks. The disguises came from the Celts, then. By combining Celtic harvest festival with the adventures of Jack, Americans got their Halloween (Allhallows Eve).
The festival has spread to Europe and Finland in a form of costume party. Children also are allowed to dress up as witches and ghosts and go around begging for candy. ”Trick or treat?” No candy meant pranks for the miser.
Spirit banishing tradition has turned into crazy autumn carnival for the students and the playful. In theme restaurants customers shook with fear, charm with costumes and party like there was no tomorrow. Some establishments disguise themselves as houses of horror where macabre tricksters rush about with their bloody capes flying spreading true Holloween. Uncle Jack’s cheeks are rosy and shine all the way from America. In the true ”axe in the head” and ”bolt through the neck”-spirit Jack has given reason for endless Halloween-parties. He is slowly turning in to the patron saint for all party organisers. And the best is yet to came: You can always eat your jack-o-lantern. Pumpkins are low on calories and you do not have to fear excess weight.
Veli-Matti Hynninen