The most popular of the saints' days is St. Martin on November 11.
Martin of Tours lived in the 4th century. He started out as a Roman
soldier, was baptized and became a monk. Because of his exemplary
life he was, (very much against his will,) appointed Bishop of Tours.
The goose, animal symbol of St. Martin, is a common meal around St.
Martin's Day. Legend has it that geese betrayed him with their
gabbling when he tried to hide in a stall as he was to be appointed
bishop.
Placed at the beginning of winter, many pagan fertility and light
celebrations are connected with this holiday, such as the Martin's
fires (bon fires and burning wheels,) and the Martin's singing. When
evening falls children, carrying Martin's lanterns and torches, parade
through the streets. While parading they sing about the generosity of
St. Martin and the procession may end with the lighting of a bonfire.
Finally the children go from house to house and recite verses, for
which they are rewarded with sweets or, more so these days, with
money. In some areas the legend is reenacted in which St. Martin
shares his cloak with a beggar in the cold of winter.
The real reason that the geese are butchered around St. Martin's Day
is that they are ready for harvesting at this time of the year. In
this country as well as in the old, goose feathers were used for
pillows and featherbeds, quills were used for writing, the eggs were
good for baking, the fat was needed for baking and could be eaten on
bread, the bird made a great "Braten," and even the wing could be used
for dusting.
Since many of the early German settlers did not find the right kind
of Christmas tree, a tree on which they could place candles safely,
they used the tough part of the feathers to make "feather trees."
Goose feather trees have become collectors items. They are made again
and can be purchased in speciality stores. They are very expensive but
beautiful and can be called the first "artificial Christmas trees."
November 11 is also the kick-off of Fasching, Karneval and Fastnacht.
For one day revelers are drawn into the streets, before the activities
in carnival clubs, street and neighborhood groups, begin in earnest as
the preparations for the January/February crazy days, are in full swing.
In the Alpine regions St. Martin's used to coincide with "Viehabtrieb,"
bringing the animals back into the villages from their summer's stay
higher up and is still celebrated in some areas.
There is a very nice chapter (pp. 280-287) on customs, lantern making,
'Laternenlieder' etc. in: Hausbuch der Feste und Bräuche, Hg.
Josef K. Pöllath. München: Südwest Verlag, 1993.
Ruth Reichmann
Max Kade German-American Center, Indianapolis.
