Filed under: festiviteies, history, party, tradition
Saint Anthonys Manjerico: the lovers flower
June is by excellence the month of all popular saints. The most typical and old neighbourhoods are decorated in bright colours and joy feels the ambiance. These are the main places where Saint Anthony Festivities take place. Streets get full of people, the smoke of sardines flows with the ocean breeze, glasses are filled with wine, there’s music and dancing through the night. Bush basils (Manjerico) are sold around the corner.
Manjerico is the flower mostly associated to Saint Anthony and Saint John Festivities that take place on the 13th of June and on the 24th of June. The tradition says that boyfriends should offer a Manjerico to their girlfriends. These bring a little flag with a verse on it. They smell like basil but you should first touch it and then smell your hand, otherwise it may die.
If you buy one, bush basil will need lots of light but not much direct sun. You should keep it wet.
Photo Credit: Lidia Ramalho (Flickr)
