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Celebration of Saint John in Zizurkil. Author: Emilio X. Dueñas.
Saint John´s night and solstice feast have been associated with an infinite number of protection rituals for centuries: the beneficent use of water collected on this date, the free aerial circulation of harmful underground and aerial beings, the purifying use of fire, and the importance of the king star at this particular feast. The sun has led to the collective belief of St John´s being the longest day of the year (scientifically refuted), and also its singular and expected dance at dawn (optical effect known as “sun dog or parhelion”), and the bonfires that hoot the night light with their flames that make shadows of those around them dance. Therefore, it is no wonder that people and communities were captivated by the visual spectacle of the moment, trying to emulate it in their family or collective festive activities.
Photo: Nasapunta at the Carmen festivity; Armintza, 2012. Author: Akaitze Kamiruaga, Labayru Foundation Photo Archive.
In traditional agricultural societies, plants and trees have had an extensive and recurring presence. In particular, trees with a significant character and a strong community or prophylactic load that, during the spring period will protect the potential harvest. During summer, they can also commemorate a satisfactory harvest, evidenced or materialized in their unique presence. In these contexts, the so-called maypoles (maiatzeko zuhaitzak) or festive trees (tree or poplar of Saint Joan, Donienatxa, etc.) have been, and still are a common practice.
Festivity of Our Lady of the Snows (Lanestosa, 05/08/2015). Photo: E. X. Dueñas.
Leisure and festivities sharply contrast with work. Any festive calendar is studded with celebrations in the public and private spheres, and a mix of elements from the past and more recent ones.
The autumn – season and cycle – gets underway with St. Michael’s Day, a real stalwart of the saints calendar and which is celebrated in Artzentales and Sestao, to name a few. Halloween leads the way into November. Even though it is an imported festivity, we must not forget scaring neighbours with carved pumpkins already existed in days of yore. On All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, relatives and friends visit the cemeteries and that has led to the borrowed “tradition” of bringing and laying flours and wreaths on the graves.
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