"The flower of the giesta
Who has it soon lends it
The cane flower
Whoever has it soon gets it "
José Leite de Vasconcelos
Have you ever seen plants with small yellow flowers placed in the houses’ doors?
It is a very old tradition, especially in the northern region, which generally dictates that if the locks are not covered with brooms the devil will enter the house or fortune will not come. Like any legend or tradition, meanings and reasons have been altered and there are few people who still follow it "religiously".
This plant is also called genisteae and in more rural areas it is possible to observe majestic robes of a bright yellow that contrasts with the dry green.
The Maias, as we call in Portugal, after being harvested by its foot and allowed to dry in the shade, were tied with wicks, followed by a certain technique, and were thus used by the tenants as brooms, very useful and effective in cleaning the threshing floor and in collecting grains.
Every year, on April 30th, each family would pick up their bouquet of yellow flowers to put on the doors and/or windows and thus fulfill the tradition.
After each flower falls, a pod is formed. In summer, on hot days, it is common to hear cracks in the pine trees, caused by the bursting of the pods, which thus release their seeds, small black or brown pellets.
Written by: Júlia Aguiar
Translated by: Francisca Rehbein
Photos by: Francisca Sousa
Comments
Post a Comment