V 'ESFOYÓN' AND 'AMAGÜESTO' FESTIVAL
NAVELGAS (Asturias) November the 11th 2000
| With the aim of recovering the old traditions of this Asturian land, the culture and feast comission of Navelgas, the cultural association 'El Arbedeiro' the Isabel Marsá foundation organize, for the fifth consecutive year, this 'esfoyón' and 'amagüesto' festival. 'Esfoyaza' and 'Amagüesto' is intended to recall one of the most beloved traditions of our land, for young people to know about it and older people revive it. | |
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This seasonal feasts, linked to the harvest
time, are a complement to othes held throut the year like
the sowing and reaping of wheat or 'mallada' which takes
place on the Village of Asturias Day. It is the residents
who, faithfully following ancient 'esfoyones', carry out
the festival by taking part in activities, such as the
stringing up, and in order to welcome visitors. In the
end, everybody exchanges stories in the 'escaño' (benches)
around the 'tsariega' (home). Without doubt, a magical
evening of legend and tradition. The feast, based around corn, chestnuts and other seasonal products is a night gathering where the village boys and girls get together under the 'panera' or 'horreo' (wooden building typical of Asturias) to husk corncobs that will then be strung up and hanged from the corridor. During the strining up process corncob are normally thrown and at the same time songs are sung. All this happens together with the 'Amagosto' or 'Amagüesto (roasting of chestnuts) No
voy al esfoyón La
panoya que m'embiaste |
All this happens together with the 'Amagosto' or 'Amaguesto' (roasting of chestnuts).
Besides, this feast revives some ancient skills like a forge, a basket maker, a 'madreñas' (wooden shoes) maker... and accompanied by regional folk music groups.
