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THIS CUSTOM WAS PRACTICED BY POLISH FARMERS YEARS AGO: ON THE DAY
AFTER CHRISTMAS, ST. STEPHEN'S, ANY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WOULD TAKE
ANY NUTS AND FRUITS, GO INTO A BEDROOM WHERE A PERSON WAS SLEEPING,
THROW OFF THE COVERS AND THROW THE NUTS AND FRUITS ON THAT PERSON.
WHILE DOING THIS HE OR SHE WOULD SAY " ST. STEPHEN WAS HERE ".
THE PERSON WOULD THEN LEAVE THE ROOM.

Submitter comment: THE REASON FOR THIS WAS ST. STEPHEN WAS THE FIRST MARTYR AND WAS
STONED TO DEATH. THE NUTS AND FRUITS REPRESENT THE STONES.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): ST. STEPHEN'S DAY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day

Date learned: 11-15-1969

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