Good Morning friends
June 23, the eve of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, is
celebrated each year in Porto, Portugal, with a curious ritual.
Festival-goers tap each other on the head with plastic
hammers or leeks.
Some say the gesture indicates romantic interest, others
claim it brings good luck to the recipient.
The custom can be traced to pagan times; indeed, the
fireworks, music, all-night dancing, and colorful processions that feature on
St. John's Eve are more closely allied to pagan summer solstice rituals than
religious observances.
A large amount of wine is drunk, and grilled sardines are
consumed on that day.
The festival is also known as "So Joo," which is
an anglicized form of the Portuguese words for Saint John.
Have a great Friday.
Kam
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