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Haymaking

Hay harvesting began around St. John's Day (June 24th). At dawn on that day, the lead harvester crossed himself and began the first cut. Hay harvesting also marked the coming of age of young men. A boy who cut hay well was first considered a man on this day. The harvest leader tied a bunch of flowering grasses onto his scythe to signify this fact.


next previous contents
Next: Rye Harvesting Previous: St. John's Day (June 24th)

"LITHUANIAN ROOTS", Edited by Rytis Ambrazevicius

Copyright ©, 1996 Lithuanian Folk Culture Centre.