"O magosto"

Estévez Rodríguez, Xosé

Publication year:

1986

Publication place:

Donostia-San Sebastián

ISSN:

0212-7016

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Summary

"Magosto" or "magostar" means to roast chestnuts and both verbs seem to be related to the month of "Agosto" (August) and to the verb "agostar" "to parch" without the initial "m". The addition of the initial "m" may be due to the Basque word "amalatz" (a type of chestnut), to the latin "macerare" which is similar to "to consume" or to "morga, morgar, esmorgar" which mean to have a snack. "O Magosto" is an ancestral rite in which homage is made to the chestnut. This homage has three gastronomic ingredients: chestnuts, wine and the "queimada". It is celebrated between the 1st and the 11th November. The rite is described