In 1723, the Delaware Indians settled Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania as a campsite halfway between the Allegheny and the Susquehanna Rivers. The town is 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
The Delawares considered groundhogs honorable ancestors. According to the original creation beliefs of the Delaware Indians, their forebears began life as animals in "Mother Earth" and emerged centuries later to hunt and live as men.
The name Punxsutawney comes from the Indian name for the location "ponksad-uteney" which means "the town of the sandflies." The name woodchuck comes from the Indian legend of "Wojak, the groundhog" considered by them to be their ancestral grandfather.
When German settlers arrived in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day, which has an early origin in the pagan celebration of Imbolc. It came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of Winter would be stormy and cold. For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of Winter. A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home. The day's weather continued to be important. If the sun came out February 2, halfway between Winter and Spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.
The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College dated February 4, 1841.
History Source
Official Punxsutawney Phil Site - Note the message about the long lines for the shuttle bus at 3:00 AM!
P.S., Pray for clouds. "If he sees his shadow, be prepared for six more weeks of winter weather. If there is no shadow to be found, then spring is just around the corner!"
6 comments:
I've been watching the festivities from Punxsutawney each year for the past 5 or 6 years. It's broadcast live on our cable on PCN (Pennsylvania Cable Network. They have music, fireworks and quite a celebration before they bring out Phil. Lots of crazies here in Pennsylvania. LOL
If I remember correctly, Phil predicted an early spring last year...then winter decided to hit. :\
It's amazing what results when two cultures as different as the Delaware Indians and the Germans (PA Dutch) collided.
And yes, Phil blew the call last year. They need instant replay and booth reviews like in football.
:-)
By the way, if he sees his shadow, he goes back into his burrow for six more weeks of winter. We want February 2nd to be a cloudy or overcast day so he WON'T see his shadow. That means an early spring. :)
I gots a headache. Phil won't see anything in any event with all the flashbulbs going off in his face.
:-)
I've always wondered about that...and all those spotlights they have on him. Ever watch that live broadcast from Punxsutawney?
Im all for blindfolding the cute lil bugger. Better yet, have Chicago provide some mistletoe...maybe he'll get distracted and not see his shadow. ~GRINZ~
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