LETTER: Festival of Saturnalia
It's amazing what can be achieved when everyone wants a good time. "Happy Christmas!" Or as the Romans would say, "Io Saturnalia!"
While I find the canned Christmas Carols in Checkers Sea Point simply annoying, the Waterfront seems to think that decorating shop assistants will increase sales. But it has given me the opportunity to reflect on how Christmas is misunderstood. It’s really the Roman festival of Saturnalia, when the god’s statue was rolled out of his confining temple into the Forum, the fabric chains were removed from his ankles and Rome descended into midwinter cathartic bliss. For this brief period, slaves became masters, presents were given to reaffirm patronage, drunkenness was everywhere and the libido ruled. Saturn has now reappeared as Santa, whose Phrygian hat, also standard issue in the pre-Christmas Waterfront, was once worn symbolically by freed Roman slaves. Santa’s red tunic was later popularised somewhat by Coca-Cola. Initially, Christianity was a state religion. After unsuccessful attempts by Nero and Domitian to stamp out the disruptive new cult, Constantine bowed to the inevitable an...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.