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From August to October farmers across Poland (and elsewhere) are busily reaping the fruits of their labor. For any farmer harvest time is a hectic time of the year, but it is also the most rewarding. It is a time when they are able to see the results of their long days on the farm and when they are able to provide food (and money) for their family.
But what is the secret to their success year after year?
Giving credit to Whom it is due.
1st Step: Start off on a Saturday
While it may sound superstitious, Polish farmers have a tradition of beginning the harvest on a Saturday. Why? In the Catholic Church Saturday has always been a day dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. By doing so, the farmer is giving honor to our Blessed Mother and asking for her help in the harvest.
In addition to starting on a Saturday, the Polish farmer would have gone to Mass first thing in the morning at 4:00 am before heading out to the fields. They would then head out and bless themselves before they began. In some villages a priest would bless the scythe before the first field was cut and the first stalks of grain were tied together in the shape of a cross.
2nd Step: Thank God and your laborers
After the many weeks of harvesting, Polish farmers would want to rejoice and give thanks for what they reaped. The most common name of this festival was dożynki. Each region of Poland has different traditions associated with it. However, most of the local traditions find their origin from the desire of landowners to reward their hard working laborers.
A central part of the festivities featured rewarding a young woman and honoring her as the best harvester. She often would be given a large wreath to be worn on her head and a large procession followed her to the local church, where the wreath would be blessed. The company of workers would then continue on to the landowners house and the woman presented the blessed wreath to him. He would in turn reward the przodownica with a monetary gift.
Additionally, the day of the festival would typically begin with Mass and in the past the harvest would be completed by the feast of the Assumption (August 15th). Thus, a Polish farmer would both begin and end the harvest honoring the Blessed Mother.
After that, a large feast would ensue and lasted until dawn. A copious amount of food was spread out and included among other things rye bread, cold roast bacon, head cheese, jellied pig’s feet, kiszka, cabbage, sausage, and beer to wash it all down. After the dinner was completed the dance would begin, first led by the landowner and przodownica.
In the end, it is a great day of rejoicing, thanking both God and the hard workers who made everything possible. That is how to harvest like a Pole!
For More Information
Polish American Journal- Doźynki
Polish Customs, Traditions, and Folklore