Who was Saint Martin?
Saint Martin was a kind-hearted Roman soldier. He cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar caught in a snowstorm. That night, he dreamt that Jesus Christ was wearing the half cloak and telling angels that Martin has clothed him, and been baptized by that act. Since he was particularly kind to kids, he is remembered on that day all over Europe.
Saint Martin's day in the Netherlands, in Dutch we call it Sint Maarten Dag. It is a feast celebrated on the 11th of November every year. The day is celebrated much like the Americanrecite Halloween, both events are linked to all saints or ' All Hallows Eve ', what we now call ' Halloween '.
Imagine children walking from door to door collecting candy, but what makes this day's custom different is that the children walk with paper lanterns, some of which are made by the children themselves, or even candles. It is a spectacular sight to see.
Saint Martin day is a magical day where the children sing songs and reciting poems while walking down the street with their beautiful lanterns.
Here are traditional Sint-Maarten songs:
Elf November is de dag (‘November eleventh is the day)
Dat mijn lichtje, Dat mijn lichtje (‘That my little light, that my little light’)
Elf November is de dag (‘November eleventh is the day)
Dat mijn lichtje branden mag (‘That my little light may burn’)
And
Sint Maarten wat is het koud ('St. Martin, it is so cold')
geef me een turfje of wat hout ('give me some peat or wood')
geef me een half centje ('give me a half cent')
dan ben je m'n beste ventje ('and you'll be my best friend')
geef me een appel of een peer ('give me an apple or a pear')
dan kom ik het hele jaar niet meer ('and you won't see me again all year')
When the children sing their songs they get candy in return or sometimes fruit. In the past, poor people visited farms to get food for the winter.
This is a very special day in the Netherlands and a big event for all (especially the children). Have a blessed Saint Martin's day!
2022/11/11
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