The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HARVEST WAS AN AFFAIR THAT THE WHOLE VILLAGE PARTICIPATED IN --
YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. ON THE DAY THAT A FARMER'S HARVEST WAS
DECLARED, MOST OF THE VILLAGERS TURNED OUT TO HELP HIM. IT WAS
AT THESE HARVESTS THAT MANY YOUNG GIRLS FELL IN LOVE WITH SOME OF
THE FARM HANDS. ONLY THE OLDER HOUSEWIVES STAY HOME AND PREPARE
HUGE AMOUNTS OF FOOD FOR THE MID-DAY MEAL AND THEN THE BIG DINNER
OF THE HARVESTERS AT THE END OF THE DAY.
YOUNG MEN, OLDER MEN AND EVEN WOMEN GO ON UP AHEAD AND CUT THE
WHEAT WITH SICKLES. THE YOUNGER PEOPLE ( GIRLS AND LITTLE BOYS )
GO BEHIND AND CUT THE WHEAT OR WHATEVER INTO BUNDLES AND STAND
THEM UP BEHIND THEM, COME OTHERS TO STACK UP FIVE BUNDLES TO A
STACK SO THAT THE LOADERS WOULD BE ABLE TO LOAD THEM INTO THE
TRUCK EASILY. WITH EVERYONE HELPING, A FARMER'S HARVEST IS USUALLY
DONE IN ABOUT THREE DAYS.
AT NIGHT, EVERYONE SITS TOGETHER TALKING, SINGING, JOKING, DANCING.
IT WAS A TIME OF HAPPINESS AND CHEERFULNESS BEFORE THE
REDS TOOK OVER.

Data entry tech comment: LOCATION OF THIS CUSTOM IS NOT INDICATED.

Where learned: NO LOCATION INDICATED

Date learned: 03-26-1972