Congratulations, you have survived the most active season of major holidays. Plough Monday follows Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's and signals a return to the plough after all those festivities.
I find it interesting that of these major holidays, all derived from British and European traditions, that Plough Monday has not transferred to the United States calendar.
It is also unique to have a holiday that celebrates work, few holidays do.
In Britain, Plough Monday is observed on the first Monday after January 6, known by Christians as the Twelfth Night. Plough Monday is an old British harvest tradition that marks the start of the agricultural season. The day was a celebration for farm workers.
It usually began in the local church with the blessing of the plow that included Molly dancers.
Then the decorated plow was paraded in the street with more music and mayhem as they collected money for a community feast.
The plow was often followed by a parading straw bear and costumed plough boys.
No comments:
Post a Comment