Labor Day or love time? We all have the beginning of the most blooming month of the year associated with other celebrations. But it would definitely be a shame to despise him just because the communists ruined his reputation so much in the last century with their voluntarily obligatory parades with waving flags and banners. They were certainly not behind its creation.
Labor Day comes from America
Although we have May Day celebrations of labor associated with communist propaganda, it actually originates from the much-hated West – America. The communists just skilfully seized them for their own benefit. Labor Day was created as a reminder of the strike of hundreds of thousands of Chicago workers who, at the instigation of the anarchist newspaper The Alarm, took to the streets on May 1, 1886, to fight for an eight-hour workday without a reduction in pay. But it was definitely not a peaceful demonstration. It even resulted in a bombing known as the Hymarket Massacre. As an official Labor Day, the anniversary of the strike began to be celebrated in America two years later – in 1888. The year after that it also arrived in Europe, specifically in France, and already in 1890 it became an international holiday. It was then celebrated for the first time in our country, specifically on Strelecky Island in Prague. However, May 1 itself was worshiped by our ancestors much, much earlier. Just from completely different motives.
May Day, time of fertility and love
In connection with the celebration of love, you probably think of the traditional May Day kiss under a blossoming tree. Thanks to him, a woman will remain fresh and fertile throughout the year, while anyone who is not kissed will dry up in thought. But even that is, in today’s mass concept, rather a modern tradition. In the past, only those who were already betrothed were allowed to kiss. Only with the loosening of morals did the kiss gradually become a “public matter” and non-binding.
At that time, those who wanted to confess their chosen love built a small majka (majička) near their house – usually secretly, under the cover of darkness. Those who embarked on the construction of a larger house, without making any secret of it, usually did so only when, as they say, there was a hand in the sleeve. And a wedding to fall. But Májka was only allowed to grow up for a girl who was single and still pure, i.e. a virgin.
| What is May? A symbol of the arrival of spring and fertility, but also an imaginary guardian spirit of the entire village against dark forces. It comes from pagan times. It is a tree, often a spruce or a birch, of which only the tip remains green after felling. The girls then open it, in some places they also hang a decorative wreath under the rest of the crown (a symbol of the virginity of the girls in the village), and the men then build it on the last day of April. They should then guard it all night so that rivals from neighboring villages do not cut it down during the night. That would be a great shame that would be talked about for years to come. |
Common houses were also built (and are still being built more and more often today), which are usually located in the village. However, they did not grow up only in the countryside. The oldest surviving record of its construction dates from 1422 and was in Prague. The young man who made it there then received the hand of his chosen one for it. But over time, this custom began to lie in the stomach of the nobility. They felt sorry for the countless felled trees, and so the tradition disappeared for a while, mainly from the cities.
Májka, however, was not the only way our ancestors professed their love for their chosen one on this night. At night, bachelors also poured out the so-called sidewalks of love. These were paths made of lime or sand that led from their house to the building of their sweetheart. But then, in some places, the idea was torn down, when the parents in question had no idea about young love until then, let alone approved of it.
Why May 1?
While in the world the holiday of all lovers is mainly Valentine’s Day, in the Czech Republic we date it mainly to the beginning of May. Mach May is probably etched in our memory. Or do pagan roots still survive in us? For them, this time had a magical power.
The end of April and beginning of May is exactly halfway between the spring solstice and the summer equinox. According to ancient ancestors, it was a magical night. The year was breaking from its dark side to the light during it, and so the dark forces had the most power. That’s why people lit fires that were supposed to protect them from all evil. At the same time, it was said to be the most fertile night of the year, and children conceived at this time are supposed to be lucky throughout their lives. So enjoy today’s witches’ night, Philippa-Jacob’s or Valpruzna’s night or Beltine to your heart’s content.
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Source of information: Czech Television – Our tradition, Wikipedia
Tags: Day time celebrate work love Tonight dark part year ends bright part begins
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