Miners’ proverbs say: “When a miner works at night, St. Barbara is to help in sight” and ” St. Barbara always remembers miners”.
She must have cared for them for centuries, as the first mention of St. Barbara’s day dates back to the 11th c.
The first written record of the festival was found in the prayer book of Gertrude, a daughter of prince Mieszko II. Barbara is the patron saint of all miners, those who mine coal and those who extract copper, oil and natural gas. She is also a patron of river boat sailors and artillerymen, as she is the patron of those exposed to the risk of a sudden death; she is also the patron saint of a good death.
The choice is not surprising though, as she was killed with a sword by her father, a pagan who did not approve of her attempts to convert him to the Christian faith. For his ill deed, the, father was struck by a thunderbolt.
December 4th is the day in Poland of Barbórka (St. Barbara‘s Day).
It is a time for miners’ celebrations, when men go out to have a pint of beer and a dinner. On this day, new ”gwarkowie” (qualified miners) are admitted to the organization. They are convened from newcomers and after a special introduction and a miners’ baptism become rightful representatives of this difficult profession.
Although St. Barbara‘s day celebrations are reserved for men, wives and girlfriends of miners also celebrate in their own company. So, apart from the traditional ’karczma piwna’ (beer hall), babski comber (Woman’s Party) celebrations are held in the vicinity of the hall. When the parties are in full swing, a common room is established, and celebrations continue till dawn.
