Happy May Day 2008
Michael reminds me that today is also May Day. Ancient spring rites that related human fertility to crop fertility gave birth to most modern May Day festivities. May 1 is the traditional day to crown the May queen, dance around the maypole, perform mummers’ plays, and generally celebrate the return of spring. In Great Britain, the custom of “bringing in the May” involves gathering “knots,’ or branches with buds, on the eve or early morning of May 1.
Of course, the day is also linked to organized labor’s fight for workers’ rights and, since 2006, Uno de Mayo, organized demonstrations by illegal immigrants in an effort to gain legal status in the U.S. I prefer the more traditional May Day festivities of my youth: the celebration of spring and dancing ‘round the maypole.
Doug
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I agree. The whole labor thing rubs me the wrong way. I know it is part of our history, but celebrating it as though it was good that labor "beat" management reminds me more of communism than something we all would celebrate together. I liked the May Pole thing much better! I am glad to see they still do that somewhere.
Happy May Day!!
I haven't seen a May Pole since I was a child!! Where on earth did you find this one?
Very informative. I remember the maypole from grammar school. It was spring and we were so happy to be out of doors and in the sun! I miss the maypole and the feelings that it evokes. There are so many good memories!
See the expressions on everyone's faces? That is what May Day is supposed to be about.