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A bonfire
is a large controlled outdoor fire. The word is a contraction of "bone fire". The practice is believed to derive from the Celtic festival of Samhain when animal bones were burnt to ward off evil spirits. Today the practice is still common in Ireland, with bonfires commonly lit for Halloween night, as well as Midsummer in some areas.
In Great Britain, bonfires are particularly associated with Guy Fawkes Night
(also known as fireworks night
or bonfire night
), an annual commemoration of the discovery of the The Gunpowder Plot on 5 November 1605. In Sussex they are particularly associated with the execution of Protestant martyrs. In Northern Ireland, they are associated with celebrations on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, which took place on 12 July 1690. Along with the Maypole, it is an important component of the Wiccan and Neopagan celebration of Beltaine, also known as May Day.
In the United States, a bonfire is often held at the end of a Homecoming rally.Throughout the United States and Canada Bonfires may also be lit at campgrounds, at outdoor festivals, or to celebrate the end of an event or gathering such as a closing celebration of a Summer Camp session. Bonfires sometimes exceed 10 feet.
Farms in the United States may also use bonfires to burn debris accumulated over several years. In those cases the bonfires may simply be used as a way to get rid of junk or wood but in some cases may be time for family or friends to gather at the farm.
On Christmas Eve in Southern Louisiana, bonfires are built along the Mississippi River levees to light the way for Papa Noël (Santa Claus) as he moves along the river in his pirogue (Cajun canoe) pulled by eight alligators. This tradition is an annual event in St. James Parish, Louisiana. [1]
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BONFIRE - AC/DC TRIBUTE TICKETS
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International variants
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In many regions of continental Europe, bonfires are made traditionally on 24 June, which is, for
Roman Catholics, the
solemnity of
John the Baptist, but as well on Saturday night before Easter. The rite is, however, older, and originally was a
pagan celebration of the summer
solstice and hence celebrated as "
midsummer" on 21 June.
In North-Eastern
Italy, bonfires are held on the
Epiphany day (6th of January). On top of the bonfire, a straw witch dressed with old clothes is placed. The tradition probably has a pre-Christian origin, symbolizing the old year, which is burnt and which is then ready to be born again.
In
Denmark, the bonfires are held on the night of 23 June, combined with the burning of a witch made from straw and clothes.
In
Galicia bonfires are held everywhere on Saint John's Eve.
In
Ireland, bonfires are held on the night of 31 October to celebrate
Halloween. In certain areas of Ireland, particularly in
Limerick, bonfires are held on 30 April to celebrate the festival of
Beltane. In the west and south of Ireland, 'Bonfire Night' is held on the night of 23 June to celebrate St John's Eve.
In
Iceland, bonfires are traditional on
New Year's Eve, and on January 6, which is the last day of the Icelandic Christmas season.
In
Japan, large fires called bon-bi are set to welcome the return of the
spirits of the ancestors. Though the two terms are not etymologically or historically related, they serve similar
purposes and indicate the universal importance of large fires.
In
Israel, in the eve of
Lag Ba'Omer, youngsters and their parents light bonfires in open spaces in cities and towns throughout the country. One knows that Lag Ba'Omer is drawing near when children begin collecting wood boards, old doors, and anything made from wood that can burn. This happens from a week to 10 days before Lag Ba'Omer. As Lag Ba'Omer approaches, the situation gets to the point where building contractors have to employ extra night watchmen to make sure that wooden planks and scaffolding are not taken by the eager youngsters. And, of course, the fire department is kept very busy on Lag Ba'Omer eve when the bonfires are lit and where the danger exists of fires getting out of control.
In
Slovenia, bonfires are traditionally held on the evening before May 1, commemorating
Labour Day.
The bonfire is part of a ritual of purification and consecration. In ancient times,
cattle, important symbols of wealth and status, were led through the smoke of a bonfire. Couples who were to be
wed on May Day would leap through the flames of the bonfire to seal their vows.
Coals from a bonfire would be taken home to light the fires in family
hearths, a practice thought to bring good
fortune. It was also believed that the residents of the
Faery realm were incapable of producing fire themselves; embers of bonfires would be carried to the
underworld and tended there.
In
India, particularly in a northern state of
India known as
Punjab, there is a festival called
Lohri where people get together in the cold night around the bonfire and eat peanuts and other sweets to commemorate the winning of good on evil. There is an old story about the festival of
Lohri. Families who have a new born baby boy are the ones who usually have to set this up outside their house. But that does not have to be the only reason to do it. People also do it for fun. The festival falls in the second week of January every year. There is no fixed date because it depends in the lunar calendar.
In
Assam, northeastern part of
India, a harvest festival called
Bhogali Bihu is celebrated to mark the end of harvesting season in mid-January.
In southern parts of
India, particularly in
Tamil Nadu, there is a festival called Bhogi which is celebrated on the last day of the
Tamil month Maarkali.
This is also the first day of
Tamil farmer festival
Pongal, hence it is also called as Bhogi
Pongal. This day is usually meant for domestic activities and of being together with the family members. This day is celebrated in the honor of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds that give rains. On this Bhogi day people collect the unwanted stuffs in the house and set them to fire to celebrate the end of bad days before
Pongal.
Nine types of wood are commonly placed into a traditional
Wiccan balefire. Collectively these are known as "The Nine Woods" or "Nine Woods". These woods are
Birch (representing The Goddess, or female energy),
Oak (representing The God, or male energy),
Hazel (representing knowledge and wisdom),
Rowan (Mountain Ash) (representing life),
Common Hawthorn (representing purity and fairy magick),
Willow (representing death),
Fir (representing birth and rebirth),
Apple (representing love and family), and
Vine. In some regions, superstition, religious belief, or tradition prohibits the cutting of certain trees, most notably in
Witchcraft customs the
Elderberry tree; "Elder be ye Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be" --A rhyme from an
Oral tradition.
See also
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- Aggie Bonfire; includes 1999 disaster that killed 12 people when it collapsed during construction
- Need-fire
- Burning Man
- Fire
- Fire ritual
- Bonfire Rally
- Sussex Bonfire Societies
- Holi
References
- http://www.stjamesparish.com/local/localinfo/BONFIRES/Bonfir1.htm