Sábado Longo (Long Saturday)

Different traditions tell us that, after Lent (40 days of self-restraint), the young people of the villages gave free rein to debauchery on the night of the Holy Saturday. The early hours of the morning from Saturday to Sunday were used by the youngsters for revelry and, which is why it was given many different names, but all linked to partying and mischief.

In Xunqueira de Espadanedo, it was called Sábado Longo (Long Saturday), since a wild night out is usually referred to as a “long night”. In Niñodaguia, according to Tónino Álvarez Silvares, and Ombreiro (Lugo), according to Manuel Romay López, it’s called Noite das Argalladas, where the young people were expected to do as much mischief as they could, which the adults accepted as part of period.

During this night of mischief, it was common for farm implements and even animals to disappear from their usual place. All these implements, generally carts, were stolen by the young people and taken to the atrium of the church of the monastery of Santa María; placed on a wagon and decorated with cabbage or any other flower they found along the way, they formed an arch through which the neighbours had to pass on their arrival and departure for mass the following day. 

The tradition survives to this day, although now with participants of all ages. The locals gather for a big dinner party and in the early hours of the morning they set out to steal as many wagons as they can. 

Date: Saturday evening before Easter Sunday