One of my favorite gods is the Roman god Saturn, for whom we named Saturday, my favorite day, and the winter festival, my favorite time of year!
Saturnalia was a religious festival for the Romans held in mid-winter with a long, rich history and some interesting customs. The festival itself derived from older farming traditions and the winter solstice and it was dedicated to the Roman god Saturn. Whilst it was originally a one-day festival, by the time of the late Roman Republic it had expanded into a week of festivities starting on December 17th… Houses were decorated with lights, wreaths and other greenery, and people also dressed up in special, coloured togas known as synthesis and exchanged gifts.
One of the most interesting traditions of Saturnalia helped maintain the status quo:
Role reversal was important to the Saturnalia celebrations, and none of the traditions is more curious than the reversal of masters and slaves. During Saturnalia, slaves were allowed to dine and celebrate with their masters, rather than having to work. Perhaps more peculiar is the tradition of Roman citizens wearing the pilleus, a felt-cap typically worn by freed-man and slaves who were about to be freed. At some tables, the masters even served the slaves food whilst they sat at the head of the table typically reserved for the free citizens. This reinforces the idea of social norms and hierarchies being suspended in the festive period, but it is also a time-limited tradition: as soon as Saturnalia is over the slaves return to work and are not allowed the luxuries afforded to them during the Saturnalia period. Whilst it is a pleasant image to think of the slaves and masters’ power dynamics being reversed for a while, it also reinforces their roles and highlights their power dynamics as it was such a reversal for them to play at another role in society for a short while. It released the pressure of the rigid social structures, as slaves were even allowed to joke around with their masters and show insolence, albeit for a short period of time.
Have fun at your office Holiday Party!