St. Barbara Day (Barbórka)Credit for this article to Barbórka, Miners’ Day (St. Barbara Day), December 4th at PolishSite is celebrated by miners across Poland on her commemoration, December 4th. St. Barbara is a patron of coal miners.

Miners dress in special uniforms during Barbórka. The uniform consists of black suit and hat with a feather. The color of the feather (white, red or black) depends on the rank of the miner. Miners wear their decorative uniforms not only during Barborka but also for weddings, funerals and other important political or social ceremonies.

Barbórka is celebrated with Miners’ Balls. Miners from coal-mines of Silesia and Zaglebie do not work underground during this day but participate in festivities. A big Ball takes place each year in Kraków’s University of Mining and Metallurgy (AGH).

Barbórka is celebrated not only in Poland but also in other countries of the region with strong mining tradition like in Germany and in Czech Republic. In Germany the celebration is called “Barbarafeier”.

St. Barbara is not only a patron of coal-miners but also a patron of geologists, mathematicians and many others professions. Her patronage is linked with the fact that according to the legend she was imprisoned in a tall tower. Her imprisonment led to association with variety of construction professions. Her festivities take place in geological institutes and universities of Germany and Austria. St. Barbara is also connected strongly with the Orthodox Church’s tradition.

To prevent accidents miners used to build chapels devoted to their patron, St. Barbara. St. Barbara is also a very celebrated nameday in Poland because Barbara is a popular feminine name.

We had in Poland over hundred mines! Besides black and brown coal also copper and silver are excavated and also salt. But salt miners have their own patron, St. Kinga. St. Kinga’s feast is on July 24th.