A holiday that is unequivocally associated with summer is the Harvest Festival. This holiday is celebrated on various dates, depending on the region and the growing season of the year. It marks the end of the harvest season – the gathering of the grain harvest, and crowns the hard work on the land. Initially it was associated with thanksgiving by peasants to the heir, then in some parishes it was transferred to the church, and now it is held mainly in the state administration (municipal, county and provincial harvest festivals), but always combined with Mass.
The harvest period was special for villagers. Despite the fact that it was associated with hard work, people in the Lublin region dressed festively at this time. Since it was believed that Mary was watching over a bountiful harvest, the harvest usually began on Saturday, the day that is consecrated to her, and work began with a prayer by the farmer. For a very long time, grain was reaped only with a sickle, as it was considered too sacred to be mowed. When the harvest season was over, an uncut handful of grain was left in the field (known as a harvester or goat), which was decorated with flowers and ribbons. There were specific customs associated with it, such as sowing grain right next to it, which was supposed to ensure fertility for the next year, as well as “plowing the goat,” which involved grabbing the farmer’s legs and dragging it several times on the ground, around the sheaf. All customs were “sung,” and so, for example, the song “To the goat” was recorded (Karczmiska 1976, Helena Goliszek, b. 1907):
Ej do kozy, do kozy, niech sia koza połozy.
Dozaniśmy do drogi, bydziemy jeść pirogi.
A gospodorza ni ma, pojechoł do Lublina
gorzałecki kupować i zniwocki castować.
Niesu nam gospodarz wódka, niesu, a zniwocki sia ciesu.
Leju w kieliski leju, a źniwiocki sia śmieju.
Mało gospodorzu jeden kielisek, nie dostoł num do kisek,
dojcie num drugi taki, przepłukumy se flaki.
Nalejcie num po kubecku, bedziemy mieli w cubecku.
Dozaniśmy do miedze, rachujcie num gospodorzu pieniundze.
Then greeted harvest wreaths – prepared only from the harvest of the fields, in the shape of a wreath or crown were offered to the host (the owner of the land in question) after a ceremonial procession with singing. The wreath was carried at the front, by the forewoman – the hostess, chosen among all, who proved herself to be the fastest worker in the fields. The host received the beggars, arranging refreshments with entertainment. A wreath was placed on his head and hung over the door, which was supposed to ensure fertility.
This holiday, so to speak, “taken over” from landed heirs by state and church institutions, has now changed its form. Today, the most distinctive feature of the Harvest Festival are the wreaths – sometimes taking on very innovative forms (e.g. house, church, cross, rooster and many others, including traditional ones), sometimes prepared for several weeks, but invariably made only from the harvest from the fields. Competitions are held for the most beautiful wreath, at the municipal, district, provincial and national levels (Presidential Harvest Festival). During the contests, by local regional groups, a traditional harvest ritual is often presented on stage. The festival ends with a communal dance party. It is still a joyous time, associated with the end of hard agricultural work.