Burns’ Kale‑Stalk: How a Scottish Poem Preserved Samhain

This episode explores Robert Burns' 1785 poem “Halloween,” which documented the kale‑stalk courtship ritual and brought Samhain customs into print. We trace how his ethnographic notes helped preserve regional folklore, influenced American Halloween traditions, and illustrate the power of literary preservation in shaping holiday identity.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices