KING FOR A DAY
King's goat party: Cabaceiras, Paraiba state
Puck fair, Killorglin, Ireland
A similar event held in a small town, Cabaceiras, located in the countryside of Paraíba State, Brazil, during the event the King's goat is the main attraction, during the event people eat goat's barbecue and the town receives national and foreign tourists, it's really impressive and very similar with the event held in Ireland.
Source: Speak Up
Entering the small market town of Killorglin, you cannot miss the bronze statue ofa mountain goat overlooking the river. Killorglin occupies a scenic position on the famous Ring of Kerry Panoramic road in south-west Ireland. From the town, you can see the tip of the highest mountain in Ireland, Cantouhil. But Killorglin’s biggest claim to fame is Puck Fair…
Every summer, an attractive wild mountain goat is selected and caught. On August 10th the goat is paraded through the streets and placed in a cage on top of a tall structure. A young schoolgirl, “Queen, Puck,” crowns the goat “King Puck,” watched by thousands of people.
LET’S PART
The only king in Ireland remains on his stand for three days, eating ivy and another greens. Below, the goat king’s subjects trade horses, cows and many other goods and have a great party. During Puck Fair about 100.000 people pass through Kilorglin. Many are emigrants coming back to pick up a conversation they started at last year’s Puck. During King Puck’s reign there is great conviviality. Many sales are made, many pints of beer are consumed, and there are a few fights as well! After three days the goat is released into the wild again and life goes back to normal.
LOST IN TIME
The origin of Puck Fair are not clear. We know that in 1603 King James I gave official status to an existing fair in Killorglin. But Puck Fair probably evolved from an old Pagan Celtic harvest festival. Lughnasadh, that was then christianised. Others say that Puck Fair was a tribute to a wild goat that alerted the town to Oliver Cromwell’s advancing armies in the mid 17th century.
Traditionally, goats are associated with Satan, but also with lust and fertility. In any case, animals lovers can rest assured: the goat is checked by a vet before and after the festival. When the deposed king gets back into the mountain, he probably has plenty of stories to tell. Of course if he’s unlucky the other goats might think he is only kidding…
And here’s a secret for you: the locals get together to part the day after Puck…
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