Harvest Festivals
The End of Harvest
From Trachten des poplnischen Volkes,
by Leon Zienkowicz, 1841
The End of Harvest
From Trachten des poplnischen Volkes,
by Leon Zienkowicz, 1841
In Poland at the end of harvest, traditionally on or around August 15th, a crown of straw was placed on the head of a village girl. The mayor of the village then placed a rooster on top of the crown. The girl led the way from the fields accompanied by musicians and villagers. If the rooster crowed,it was considered good luck and the future would be good; if the roosterrefused to eat, it was a looked upon as a bad omen and prospects for a goodwinter were bleak.
Another account of the harvest festival tells of a different custom whereby the nobleman would receive a wreath of wheat and rye, bedecked with flowers, fruits and ribbons. The best girl reaper would present this symbolic gift to nobleman while singing "The fruits of the harvest we bring to the master's home." The presentation of the wreath of grain was followed by feasting and merrymaking.
Polish
Harvest Traditions - The Polish Genealogy Society of America
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