Flores de Mayo

Flores de Mayo (El Salvador)

May

In the late 18th century the Roman Catholic Church set aside the month of May to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. The religious ceremonies held in honor of the Virgin in El Salvador during this month are called Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May), probably because there are so many wildflowers in bloom at this time of year.
The town of San Vincente celebrates the fiesta in a distinctive way. Each day, between four and five in the afternoon, there is a procession through the streets of town. It starts at the house of the capitana, the woman who directs the festival on that day. The women who have worked on the festival and their friends march through town scattering candy, anise seeds, and sweetmeats. Men throw flowers, corn, and grain from the sidelines. At six o'clock the image of the Virgin Mary is carried from the capitana's house to the church in procession, and a second and even more elaborate procession takes place later that night. These processions take place throughout the month-long observance. Each day a different capitana takes charge of the day's activities.
Although "la Flor," as the procession is known, is the highlight of each day's activities, there is also music every morning as men and women playing guitars and marimbas stroll through the streets. Sometimes a jester wearing a mask rides through the town on horseback, handing out announcements of coming events. Another procession takes place at midday, consisting of a parade of cars that have been specially decorated for the fiesta. People wearing masks follow on foot.

CONTACTS:
Embassy of El Salvador
1400 16th St. N.W., Ste. 100
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-265-9671; fax: 202-232-3763
www.elsalvador.org

SOURCES:
FiestaTime-1965, p. 85

Celebration days: May 1 - May 31

Celebrated in: El Salvador

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Flores de Mayo (Philippines)

May 31

Flores de Mayo ("May flowers") festivals take place throughout the Philippines during the month of May. Children create offerings of flowers and bring them to their churches in the afternoon. Parades make their way through towns and villages, with girls wearing traditional costumes followed by their relatives and friends singing Hail Marys.
The festival ends on May 31 with fiestas everywhere. In big cities like Manila, Flores de Mayo is one of the largest festivals of the year, featuring May Queens and fancy dress balls. In the smaller towns and villages, the last day of the month is a day to celebrate the birthday of their patron saint.

CONTACTS:
Philippine Tourism Center
556 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10036
212-575-7915; fax: 212-302-6759
www.wowphilippines.com.ph

SOURCES:
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 365

Celebration day: May 31

Celebrated in: Philippines