The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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

Date learned: 11-15-1969