The Plough
an ancient Christmas tradition
The New Year's Eve is the time when the kids and young men go out with another custom: The Big Plough - performed by young men and kids' Little Plough.
The ancient agricultural custom derived from a primitive practice gone through a fertility ritual became a common wish for rich harvests. These cheers are actually a true poem that describes all the agricultural duties from the ploughing of field in spring to the baking of sweet bread in winter.
The year tomorrow will be renewed,
On its way our little plough will start,
Good Wishes to you to impart,
Which will come true, if by you received.
The winter is heavy, the snow is high,
Which is of good omen for the coming year,
Announcing that a rich harvest is near
By driving deep the plough if you try.
The first arriving bands with the "Little plough" were only boys. Reunited in 3-5 or 10-14 persons a group, the little waits start their mission since morning (after 10 o'clock). Younger kids have only whips and bells and sometimes a small wooden plough. And something called "buhai", being the popular name of the bull.
In fact is an archaic accompaniment instrument. It's made of the cylindrical part of an old barrel. One end is covered with a piece of leather. Through a hole made in the middle of the leather a wet hempen rope is passed. When the rope is pulled, "buhai" (the bull) makes a sound very much alike with the bull's roar. "Buhai" (the bull) needs three people in order to be manipulated. One presses it in his arms. Another pulls out the rope. The last keeps the rope wet (with snow or water).
The group of children enter the hosts' yards. They set in front of the windows and one of them starts saying the versified text. The murmur of the bull quietly accompanies the child's words. From time to time he stops for urging his mates to ring the little bells and hit the bulls to roar.
The difference between the Big Plough and the Little Plough consists in its props. The young men care with them two oxen with a plow. Of course they make larger groups, they are older and come just in the evening. At the end of their cheer they make a furrow on the householder's yard. This is a sign he'll have good harvests for the coming year.
Previous custom: The bear dance
Next custom: Nativity drama
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