Martin's Day is a holiday with a rich background. It has religious, social and folk aspects. Peasants used to finish harvesting crops in November, and this is when hired workers received their annual salaries. Also, cleaning, and washing and drying clothes was forbidden at this time as people believed these activities killed livestock, so there was a good reason to have some fun instead. Martin's Day celebrations were regarded as the last great feast held before the traditional forty-day Advent fast.
But who was this legendary Martin?
He did important missionary work, lived both as a beggar and a soldier, and performed miracles. His followers wanted to elect him bishop of Tours, but his modesty led him to hide in a shed. He didn’t stay hidden for long though as the geese started honking, giving away his hiding place. Many folk customs and beliefs are connected to 11 November, when we celebrate Saint Martin of Tours, both in Hungary and in other countries.