customs11

Christmas in Scotland

During the 17th century, when the Puritans dominated the government of Great Britain, a ban was placed on the celebration of Christmas, and since that time religious festivals have never been especially popular in Scotland. This is not to say that Christmas goes unnoticed in Scotland and is without its customs and traditions. But, on the whole, the day is observed quietly.

A waxing moon was always considered more favorable for Christmas than a waning one. The housewife was unfortunate, indeed, who left any work undone at this season. No one retired before midnight on Christmas Eve; nor was the fire allowed to go out on this night lest the elves come down the chimney and dance in the ashes. A bonfire, dancing, and music on the bagpipes were considered a fitting prelude to Christmas dinner. These and other old beliefs were once a part of Scottish Christmas. It is on New Year's Eve, or Hogmanay as it is known, that the celebration of the year takes place. The term Hogmanay is of remote origin and its meaning is not entirely clear. However, the word also refers to the oat cakes served at this time, as well as to the most popular of all Scottish holidays and the merrymaking that attends it. This season of feasting and frolicking has long been known as the "daft days". In the 19th century, when Scots in great numbers emigrated to England, America, and Australia, they banded together to celebrate in the spirit of Auld Lang Syne on this most auspicious of evenings, but, in the past few decades, the practice has largely died out. Housewives had to rise early to be ready with the bannocks (oat cakes) for the neigborhood children who came to sing. New Year's Day was Cake Day to the young folk in Scotland, and they had no need for breakfast, having already eaten more than their share of oat cakes and other good things received as they went from house to house. Sometimes, men and boys went around with a piper, dressed in women's clothes, with their faces blackened. Shortbread flavored with nuts or caraway and black buns were also favorites at this season. Looking back to earlier times, we find that this was an appropriate time to burn juniper in the house and the stable to protect both the people and the animals from harm. Farm animals were always given extra rations of food at this season. The appearance of a woman as first visitor was considered an ill omen, indeed. Refreshments are plentiful and a pleasant party makes the occasion one of great merriment.

Christmas in Spain

Christmas Eve in Spain, known as Noche-buena or the Good Night, ushers in the birth of the Christ Child in a surprisingly festive manner. The home sshrines are lighted at dusk and the nacimientos or manger scenes that have been set up previously in the best room of the house gleam with light. Delicacies like almond soup, truffled turkey, and chestnuts, cooked in a variety of ways, are ready to be served to visiting relatives. Since this day is also the occasion for the family feast in Spain, friends usually are not invited but relatives galore are always present. Every country has its favorite Christmas sweet or delicacy. In Spain it is turron, a kind of nougat or almond candy that everyone eats. It is sold from door to door, no one is too poor to eat his share of turron at Christmas. Christmas Day is devoted to feasting, the ex-change of gifts and greetings, and the traditional rite of the Urn of Fate, a practice that has survived since the days of the Romans. Bringing in the Yule log with all the attendant fanfare of bearing it with switches to ensure good fortune still has its appeal in some villages. The boys who do the hauling stop at neighboring houses along the way, where they receive chocolates, nuts, and other good things to eat to supply the needed energy to tug the heavy log home. The feast of the Immaculate Conception, which takes place on December 8th, is observed for an entire week and serves as a fitting prelude to Christmas. In the northern regions of the country, the balconies of the houses are decorated with flowers, carpets, and flags, and the candles are burned all night in the windows on the eve of the feast. In Seville's great cathedral, the largest Gothic structure of its kind in the world, a most unusual ceremony known as Los Seises of the "Dance of the Six" takes place. Since the dance in its various forms is so much a part of the life and the spirit of the Spanish people, it is easy to understand why choreography is performed as an act of reverence.
Centuries ago, before Spain was a nation, the Israelites danced before the Ark of the Covenant; there are those today who trace Los Seises back to this ancient source. Although originally referred to as "the Sixes", there are now ten boys, trained under ecclesiastical direction. The performance is usually held at five o'clock following Vespers at Easter, on Corpus Christi, and the December feast of the Immaculate Conception. On Holy Innocents' Day, December 31st, boys light bonfires at the town gateways and select a mayor who enforces law and order by requiring citizens to clean the streets. Fines are imposed for various alleged offenses in order to collect money for the expenses of the celebration.

Christmas in Sweden

Although the old expression, "Christmas lasts a month in Sweden", must not be taken literally, the festive season does begin on December 13th with the feast of St. Lucia and ends on January 13th, Tjugondag Knut, the day dedicated to St. Hilary. In modern Sweden, ancient custom and folklore make this season a true festival of the home, with hospitality overflowing in every direction. Baking now becomes a kind of culinary ceremonial and a wide variety of buns, cakes, and loaves of many different kinds, shapes, and colors are made. These include wort bread, sweet, and dark, the fragrant saffron loaves, as well as gingersnaps in the form of goblins, piglets, stars, and other patterns. Christmas cookies of elaborate design include the sowing cake, the cross bun, the twelvehole kringle which looks like an elaborate pretzel, the minister's hair, and the church door, to name only a few. In ancient times, it was the practice to save one of these cookies until spring and then toss it in front of the plow to ensure a good harvest. There are still old-time cooks who make headcheese and Christmas sausages at home, and there are those who still dip their own tallow candles for old times' sake. The practices, handed down like heirlooms from generation to generation, keep strong those links with the past which are not easily forgotten by those whose associations are close to the soil. Just as Belgium, Holland, and other countries launch the season with St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, Sweden pays tribute to St. Lucia on December 13th. Early in the morning before daylight on this day, families all over Sweden are awakened by a "Lucia", usually the eldest daughter of the family, singing the ancient Sicilian song "Santa Lucia". Dressed in a white robe and wearing a crown of lighted candles surrounded by greenery, she presents a tray loaded with coffee, saffron buns, and Christmas cookies to each member of the family, serving them while they are still in bed. The younger children of the family usually participate as followers of Lucia, wearing the traditional glittering star on the tips of their conelike hats.