May the beauty of nature surround you like a comforting embrace.
Beltane (i.e., May Day) is a Celtic festival traditionally celebrated on May 1st to enjoy the peak of spring. Long ago, people would gather to dance around a Maypole, build bonfires, and decorate with wildflowers to celebrate the fertile and abundant life around them.
Airie Forest School enjoyed celebrating this festival during our E.C.O program as well as with other forest families at our special even C.A.L. Here is a peek into our festivities.
Preparation
To begin, we all made wildflower crowns and painted faces. Some children chose to be Celtic warriors while others enjoy the beauty of wildflowers to be painted on their cheeks.
Dancing
We enjoyed dancing around the Maypole to traditional Celtic music. Each child held a ribbon while dancing in a circle around the Maypole. We tried walking in patterns of four, skipping, weaving, and eventually free dancing while rotating in the same direction around the Maypole until it was completely decorated. One child exclaimed, "It looks like a rainbow candy cane!"
Dancing around the Maypole brought laughter as the children had to navigate their shared space while moving their bodies so they did not bump into each other.
Traditional Cuisine - Bannock and Jam
In the Celtic context, bannock refers to a flatbread staple in Scotland. Scots would serve as a reliable source of sustenance for people in rural communities. Bannock was often enjoyed on its own or served alongside meals, and variations existed depending on the region and available ingredients.
The traditional ingredients for bannock typically include flour, baking powder, salt, and water. However, depending on the preference and cultural context, variations may include adding other ingredients such as fat (butter, lard, or oil), milk, or even sugar.
Bannock can be cooked in various ways, including frying, baking, or grilling. It's often cooked over an open flame, making it a convenient and portable food that was historically used during hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Today, it's still enjoyed in many Indigenous communities and has also gained popularity in mainstream cuisine.
The children enjoyed the bannock and jam so much that they requested more for the next snack time at Airie.
May the boundless beauty of nature fill your heart with tranquility and wonder, reminding you of the extraordinary intricacies woven into the fabric of our world.
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