Well, it’s May Day again. It’s probably one of my favorite days out of the year, as it usually marks the time when winter finally meets its death and spring officially begins in the North. Living in a cold climate means that there is a potential for wintery weather all the way through April and sometimes into early May. I’m very interested in folk traditions, particularly regarding spring and harvest festivals. In rural England, there is much pageantry associated with the first of May, including several folk tunes. In Helston Cornwall, for example, they celebrate the Hal An Tow dance. The dance dates back to at least Shakespeare’s day, and is probably even older than that. Various costumed players take to the streets to act out certain events from religious and folk history of England, such as Robin Hood, St. George, and other figures. All the townsfolk gather to sing the Hal An Tow song decked in traditional garb, and wearing leaves and flowers. It’s a rather jolly occasion. Padstow, another village in Cornwall, celebrates the Padstow May Dance. This dance involves two hobby horses (‘Obby ‘Osses) known as the Old Oss and the Blue Ribbon Oss, who are paraded through the street at the first light of day. The locals sing an old folk song, waking up various citizens. It is a great honor to be awakened on the morning of May Day in Padstow. The citizens then parade through the town, gathering about the May pole, where the ‘Obby ‘Osses then dance around the pole. In Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man, May Day is known as Beltane, and has its roots in ancient Celtic religion. The day is celebrated with dances, feasting and bonfires. It is said that faeries walk among mortals on Beltane, and it is customary to leave them a gift, such as beer or porridge. Other rituals to protect crops and cattle are frequently practiced.
For me, May Day is a day to celebrate the end of the cold weather, and act a little bit silly. Seeing the return of spring always makes me jolly, even if there’s a little snow on the ground.
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AuthorI'm Ian Wilson, a slightly eccentric amateur horticulturist bumbling his way through the garden. Archives
October 2021
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