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Jan 14, 2002 |
Plough Monday: Tradition
Imagine a holiday like Halloween, with a bit of Mardi Gras thrown in, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what Plough Monday was like - in 18th century rural England. ambience: Plough Monday folk tunes Picture a holiday like Halloween with a little bit of Mardi Gras thrown in, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what Plough Monday was like. I'm Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet. In rural England, the Plough Monday celebration was a folk tradition celebrated for centuries every January. Well, this week in Princeton, New Jersey, a folk group called "Handsome Molly" is keeping the spirits of the Plough Monday celebration alive. Sue Dupre is a member of "Handsome Molly." "Plow Monday was a historical observance whose first heyday was in the nineteenth century. Its the first Monday after Twelfth Night. On that date in East Anglia in England, men in small villages would dress up, half of them as women. Theyd dress up in outrageous ways, and theyd disguise themselves. Theyd smear their faces with charcoal and theyd go from house to house. Theyd take a plow along with them, and at each house theyd stop at, they would do a dance." Once the ploughmen finished offering their songs and crude dances, they would demand payment from the owner of the house. "They would then expect to be served beer or food or given money when they were done. If they werent given food or beer or money, theyd take their plow, and theyd plow up the homeowners yard. Kind of a trick or treat postponed till just after Christmas." To hear about our new CD, please visit pulseplanet.com. Pulse of the Planet is presented by the National Science Foundation. I'm Jim Metzner. music CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS Scientist: Sue Dupre |
