The Cornish Fire Festival on Midsummer’s Eve is generally acknowledged to stretch back into the mists of pre Christian time. Originating as a festival of fertility and sun worship it owes its survival to its Christian association with St John’s Eve thus the name Golowan (Gol feast, (J)owan John). Its continuation as a living tradition into the 21st century is thanks to the efforts of the Old Cornwall Societies who hold bonfire ceremonies on ancient hill tops the length and breadth of Cornwall on Midsummer’s Eve. References to the bonfires and Midsummer celebrations such as that of Bottrel ‘Traditions and Hearthside stories of West Cornwall (1870) frequently mention dancing at these celebrations. Lake’s ‘Parochial History of Cornwall’ (Vol III) gives a fairly graphic detail of the Fire Festival in Penzance, involving lightened tar barrels rolling through the streets and men swinging heavy torches overhead in a complicated circular motion. Penzance in fact had it’s own Obby Oss which was associated with these activities as well as May Day. This was known as ‘Pen Glas’ (meaning blue or grey head) which was a horses skull on a pole draped in a cloak. The name ‘Golowan’ was adopted by a popular festival in Penzance which now occurs annually and is a great success. For more information on this festival
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