Text: My sister tells me about a tradition at her school, Mount Holyoke. It’s called Pangy, short for Pangynaskeia Day. She told me it’s the last Friday of the spring semester, kind of part Earth Day, part May Day, part spring fun, and part celebrating women. 

Context: She has never been before, because in past years she’s been busy or studying abroad ,and is going for the first time this year. She said she’s excited because she hears there are sometimes chickens and llamas and bunnies. There is also a may pole and a cultural festival, as well as good food on the lawn. She said they can wear whatever but she specified flowy dresses because it’s springtime and said, “Think witchcraft circles and dancing I guess but happier.”

Analysis: Pangy Day is an example of a festival that happens with the seasons, and it draws on older traditions such as May Day and Earth Day. However, it is reimagined in a modern college setting. Rooted in place based tradition, it’s a ritual that all Mount Holyoke students and alums have in common. Even though she has never been, the fact she knows a lot about it and is excited for it shows how these traditions live within the community and are anticipated every year.