Were there holidays in Middle-earth? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 07-21-2002, 09:28 PM

I always assumed that "Mid-Year Day" and "Yule" were the equivalent of the earth's Summer and Winter Solstices. The Elves celebrated it, also. These two events have been celebrated by most cultures throughout time. It's the reason why the Christian religion chose these solar events for our own Christmas and Easter holidays.

As for other times of celebration, I imagine that the Shire and other kingdoms had their "patriotic" holidays; like celebrating the founding of the Shire, or the defeat of the Orcs that attacked Buckland, things like that. And being a mostly agricultural society, they probably had something like Harvest Home or Oktoberfest.

Maybe they celebrated the Bullroarer's Birthday, and made it a three-day weekend.

And of course, The Scouring of the Shire will be long remembered and an occasion for parades and festivities.

[ July 21, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

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07-21-2002, 09:28 PM	#7
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	I always assumed that "Mid-Year Day" and "Yule" were the equivalent of the earth's Summer and Winter Solstices. The Elves celebrated it, also. These two events have been celebrated by most cultures throughout time. It's the reason why the Christian religion chose these solar events for our own Christmas and Easter holidays. As for other times of celebration, I imagine that the Shire and other kingdoms had their "patriotic" holidays; like celebrating the founding of the Shire, or the defeat of the Orcs that attacked Buckland, things like that. And being a mostly agricultural society, they probably had something like Harvest Home or Oktoberfest. Maybe they celebrated the Bullroarer's Birthday, and made it a three-day weekend. And of course, The Scouring of the Shire will be long remembered and an occasion for parades and festivities. [ July 21, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]