When I was growing up, May Day was just another day. No celebration,
no May poles, nothing. I cannot even remember it being mentioned in school. I do remember seeing pictures of May poles in books, but I had no idea what they were for and I certainly never saw one in person.
A simple Google search will reveal that
celebrations associated with May Day date back hundreds of years. What
originally began as a pagan festival (like so many of our popular
holidays), May Day has evolved into a more secular holiday which is
still celebrated in parts of Europe and the United States.
When
my Grandma Burnette was growing up in Floyd County, Virginia, a popular
May Day activity for the young folks was climbing the Buffalo and having a picnic. She used to always tell me that quite a bit of courting happened on those outings! Buffalo Mountain looms over the surrounding countryside at an elevation of 3,971 feet. With a breathtaking view that includes being able to see Pilot Mountain in North Carolina, it is easy to see why it was such a popular hike then and now. There are many legends associated with the Buffalo. I think that my favorite is that a black snake the size of a telephone pole lives in the caves that pockmark the steep side of the mountain. (For more information about visiting the Buffalo click
HERE.)
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Buffalo Mountain in the distance
Photo taken from Rocky Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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May Day on the Buffalo
circa 1920
Back Row: Nellie Goad, Wirt Harris, Lena Cox, Lola Goad
Front Row: unknown |
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Left to Right: John Edward Burnette, Tressie Goad, unknown, unknown
I suspect that this photo may have been taken on May Day. |
How do you celebrate May Day?
Copyright 2012--All Rights Reserved--The Wheel & Distaff by Kimberly Burnette-Dean.
