Calander Kernowek The Cornish Calendar
Forget Roman emperors, and number order, some Cornish months give a pretty good description of what to expect:
August Mis Est “the hot month”, the summer month (from Latin)
September Mis Gwedngala “the month of white straw”
October Mis Hedra “the month of stags rutting”
November Mis Dû “the dark month”, “the black month”
December Mis Kevardhû “the month of black/dark weather”
Yes, we do have some days and months named after Roman planets or gods (and the odd goddess), but not a Wodin or Thor in sight:
Sun or Sol gets Sunday: De Sül
Moon or Luna gets Monday: De Lün
Mars gets both Tuesday and March: De Meurth and Mis Meurth.
Mercury just gets Wednesday: De Merher
Jove or Jupiter gets Thursday: De Yow
Venus gets Friday: De Gwener
Saturn gets Saturday: De Sadorn
Market days were popular. There were two famous ones in Penzance, preserved in the language, though slightly morphed:
Thursday Market Marhas Yow (Marghasyou in 1331) became Market Jew Street (famously painted several times by Stanhope Forbes).
Little Market Marhas Vian (Marghasbighan in 1359) became Marazion.
The rest of the months have to make do with more minor attributions:
January Mis Genver
February Mis Whevrel
April Mis Ebrel
May Mis Me
June Mis Efan (earlier Metheven)
July Mis Gorefan (earlier Gortheren)
And, of course, some months have special first day or calan:
Calan Ebrel April Fools’ Day
Cala Me May Day
