It has been quiet in town over the weekend. Marjane had signs up explaining they would be open today but the general feeling was of a build up not to a festival but to a holiday from work. We asked Moha what was happening and he said it was the holiday on Tuesday. We asked what hoiliday and he said with incomprehension "International Labour Day".
We explained that in England the holiday was always held on a Monday whatever the date and he said with great disappointment "It's not really International then?" I didn't have the heart to explain that the States and Canada inexplicably have Labour Day in September.
I remember the 70s when May Day first became a holiday organising leftwing festivals. These days its just become another commercial holiday although Bruv did facebook me the London Organising Committee of the TUC's march details which do actually happen on Mayday.
Here it is treated much more seriously and great value is placed on the shared internationalism of the holiday.
A march was held but it was much more dignified than the average march/demo I've been on at home. There were no bands to encourage and lighten the mood but people conformed to the marshall's requests and lined up with great dignity 5 abreast walking, not marching in ranks. The men first behind their banners and then the women behind theirs and then the latecomers somewhat more straggly.
Away from the march the town was quieter than it has been since just after last Eid with most businesses and the local workshops closed as was the Souk. Generally the holiday seems to be of more import than the Mouled or the anniversary of the Green March.
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| Marshalling 2012 Mayday March Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
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| Mayday March 2012, Taroudant |
Thinking about International Labour Day; how come they chose May1? This was traditionally Beltane the pre-christian festival and lasted with various May Eve beliefs as to maidens who gathered flowers or slept out overnight would dream of the man they were to marry which persisted through the church and into the reformation. (Our evangelical Anglican church had a "May Queen" as part of its Whit walks in the 50s and 60s.)
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