May is the fifth month of the year and the last month of spring. According to Plutarch, the Greek philosopher and historian, May was named after the nymph Maia, the most beautiful of the Pleiades and mother of the god Hermes, to whom this month was dedicated.

This month is characterized by various customs, often accompanied by sayings and expressions that reflect the weather and the beliefs of the people. It was believed that May rainfall was beneficial for the summer crops, but not for agriculture in general. In olive cultivation, the critical period is when the fruit is small and tender. That’s why the proverb says “When there are lightnings and thunders in May, there will be neither olives nor oil” (Cyp. Otan ton Mai astraftei tziai vronta, oute elies oute ladi”. As for vines, rain or hail could destroy the harvest. That’s why the saying: “A dry May, a joyful harvest” (Cyp. Mas avrehos, triyitos haroumenos). Farmers considered March a good month for planting, but May even better as expressed in the proverb “A good planting in March, and the best one in May” (Cyp. I kali fithkia ton Marti, tz’ i kalitterin ton Mai).

Certain dates in May come wrapped in superstitions and age-old beliefs. On May 1^st, known as Protomayia, people make wreaths with various flowers and hang them on the front doors of their homes. It was believed that these wreaths would prevent illnesses from entering the house, which is why people would say “So May does not enter home”, where “May” refers to illnesses (Cyp. Gia na men empei esso o Mas). The wreath, having supposedly absorbed all illnesses, was then burned in the bonfire of Saint John on June 24th.

On the same day, people also used to wash their faces with the dew from the grain fields to protect themselves from sunburn. On this day as well, people would eat a piece of Easter bread (koulouri) or a flaouna (Easter cheese pies) to prevent donkeys from biting them. Lastly, it was customary on May 1st for people to gather sage (Cyp. Spatzia), dry it, and use it to make tea.

On May 3^rd, on the feast day of Saint Mavra, it was customary to drink milk as a way to avoid getting a sunburn. On the 5^th of May, on the feast day of Saint Irene, people would walk through the olive groves, looking closely to see if three olive fruits had grown on a single stem. If they found such a sign, it was believed to be a good olive harvest.

One of the most well-known proverbial phrases is “Live, my May, to eat clover” (Cyp. Zise Mai mou na fas trifylli), which is used to describe something that takes a long time to happen or may never happen at all.

May is filled with name days, including Saints Timothy and Mavra’s Day on the 3^rd, Saint Irene’s Day on the 5^th, Saint Christopher’s Day on the 9^th, Saint Constantinos and Eleni’s Day on the 21^st, and many more. Religious fairs, known as panigyria, are a cherished tradition in our villages, celebrating their patron saints. This month, panigyria are being held in Koilani in honor of Saints Timothy and Mavra and in the villages of Tochni and Agios Konstantinos Lemesou in honor of Saints Constantinos and Eleni.