Hungarian traditions of Saint Martin’s day

Saint Martin’s day is the 11^th of November which in Hungarian folklore traditions signals the end of agricultural work and the coming of advent. This was also the last feast-day before a 40-day period of fast. Conveniently, around this time, the geese were grown enough to be butchered and served in several different dishes alongside the new wine, so this day gave a reason for revelling.

The history behind the day

According to the myth, Martin (or Márton) was born in the 4^th century near Savaria (Szombathely) and he became a Roman soldier. At one particularly freezing night, while Martin was riding on horseback in France, he came across a beggar and decided to share his warm cloak with the beggar. That very same night, Jesus appeared in Martin’s dream in the image of the beggar. This was the turning point for him and instead of serving the Roman Empire, he turned to God and started serving him.

But the most interesting part of the saint’s story is when Martin was chosen to be the bishop of Tours’, but he was so meek, he tried to hide from his nomination. Unfortunately for him, he chose the den of the geese and the birds unveiled Martin’s presence with their cackling.

Revels and events of St Martin’s day

St. Martin’s day is the last day preceding the 40-day Christmas fast where snacking and feasting is allowed. This was frequently the time to pay the debts and allowances, sometimes in the form of geese for example.

The delicious dishes and the tasting of the new wine provides a perfect atmosphere in itself, but on top of that, people often organise revels and celebrations. In the German-speaking areas, it is quite common to organise a lantern or torchlight processions. The lantern symbolically carries St. Martin’s good deeds.

After dark, people start marching the street with lanterns or candles and sing St. Martin day songs. Where it is possible, St. Martin leads the marchers on horseback with his red cape which according to legend, he shared or gave to the beggar. Some children will often perform a little play about the St. Martin’s encounter with the beggar.

This type of celebration is also present in some areas of Hungary and it is becoming more and more popular. I personally remember that in Sopron when I was at kindergarten, we marched the streets with our little home-made paper lanterns singing songs until we reached the chapel on the hilltop near the kindergarten.

Traditions of the weather forecast on Saint Martin’s day

According to old experience around this time, the weather worsened and often the first snow has fallen. When this happened, they said that „Saint Martin arrived on a white horse”. If this was the case, then the winter would be mild. If he arrived on a „brown horse”, then they expected a cold and harsh winter. If only a little snow has fallen, he just shakes his beard.

There were also other superstitions connected to this day, such as the prediction by the goose’s bone. If the breastbone of the goose was brown, they expected a rainy winter, if the bone was white, however, they expected a snowy winter. There is a tradition originating from Göcsej, in Zala county according to which it was prohibited to wash and dry clothes during the week of St. Martin’s day because it was believed that it would cause the death of livestock. There is another saying concerning the weather: „If the goose stands on ice on St. Martin’s day, then it will totter in Christmas time”.