Golowan, The Midsummer Fires and Petertide

Golowan (sometimes also Goluan or Gol-Jowan) is the Cornish word for the Midsummer celebrations. Widepsread prior to the late 19th century and most popular in the Penwith area and in particular Penzance and Newlyn The celebrations were conducted from the 23rd of June (St Johns Eve) to the 28th of June (St Peters Eve) each year, St Peter's eve being the more popular in Cornish fishing communities. The celebrations were centred around the lighting of bonfires and fireworks and the performance of associated rituals. Since 1991 the Golowan festival in Penzance has revived many of these ancient customs and has grown to become a major arts and culture festival its central event 'Mazey day' now attracts tens of thousands of people to the Penzance area in late June. Old Cornwall Societies across Cornwall on this date light bonfires in a giant chain reaching from Kithill on the Devon Border, to Chapel Carn Brea near Land's End. The ancient festival was first described by Dr Borlase in 1754 in his book Antiquities of Cornwall.

A descriptions of the fire festival in Victorian times follows below.

Penzance, and in nearly all the parishes of West Penwith, immediately after nightfall on the eves of St John and St Peter, the 23rd and 28th of June, lines of tar-barrels, occasionally broken by bonfires were simultaneously lighted in all the streets, whilst, at the same time, bonfires were kindled on all the cairns and hills around Mounts Bay, throwing the outlines in bold relief against the sky.

Video of "Mazey" Day 2007

 

St Peter's Eve (June 28th) Porthleven and Newlyn in particular being the centre for much of the celebration of St Peter's tide because of St Peter's role as the patron Saint of fishermen.

Penglaz the Penzance 'Obby 'Oss makes an appearance during the festival a video of the 'Oss appearing at 2007 festival is posted below. For more detailed reading about Penglaz please visit the Penglaz website

 

For more information about Golowan please visit www.golowan.org

 
       
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