Whitsun (Whitsunday or Whit Sunday) is a Christian festival that celebrates the Day of Pentecost which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s disciples. The etymology of Whit is a little confused. Some believe it refers to the white garments worn by those who were to be baptised at Pentecost. Others suggest it is Old English for ‘wit’ and refers to the wisdom and ‘wit’ of the Holy Ghost.
Pentecost is a Judaic harvest festival (the Festival of Weeks) that falls seven weeks after Passover. It is on this day that Jesus’ disciples were visited by the Holy Ghost after his death and resurrection.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit game them utterance. (The Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2, verse 1-4)
Although the main festival took place on Whit Sunday, the following week (Whitsuntide) was, in the Middle Ages, a holiday which coincided with a pause in the agricultural year. Crops had been planted, cattle had been taken to pasture, and sheep shearing didn’t begin until the middle of June. This was a time when fairs would take place, known – particularly in northern counties – as Whitsun Ales, and brass bands and young girls dressed in white would parade through the streets.
On Whit Friday it was customary for groups to go on organised walks known as Whitsun Walks. The end of May or early June on which Whit Sunday fell was also a time for cheese-making, and tarts and pies made with the curds were commonly eaten at this festival.
During the Middle Ages many festivities to mark certain times or activities of the agricultural year were accompanied by the drinking of ale. In June the lamb-ale took place during sheep shearing; weddings were known as bride-ales (bridal); and Whitsun-ales were held during Whitsuntide. The Whitsun-ales were fundraising events for the parish and included music, dancing and the consumption of seasonal dishes such as curd tarts.
Whit walks originated in Manchester in 1821 when a procession of Sunday School children processed through the city to celebrate the coronation of George IV on 19th July. The custom continued and spread to other parishes in Lancashire, taking place on Whit Friday. The children would sport new outfits (the girls wore new dresses and the boys, new trousers), paid for by family, friends and neighbours all contributing a penny. Baskets of flowers and banners of ribbons would be carried by the children as they processed.
