From Rome to SieroThrough research, one discovers that almost all Asturian customs—so uniquely ours and so deeply rooted in the region—actually have remote and shared origins, as if different communities were simply reinventing, with their own distinctive accent, old ways of celebrating the same things. Thus, It is said that the Les Comadres festival has its distant antecedent in the Roman Matronaliasthose festivities in honor of Juno MatronaThese celebrations allowed women, once a year, to reverse the social order and exercise certain privileges usually reserved for men. Echoing domestic Saturnalia, these matrons celebrated fertility, friendship, and chosen kinship.
And as in Asturias, what is not written is passed down, the festival slipped through the centuries, until it settled—who knows how— in Pola de Siero, where it took firm rootThere, since time immemorial, women celebrate their day with the joyful fervor of those who know that there are few occasions like this to escape the routine mandate.
The geography of the Les Comadres festival
Although of predominantly Asturian origin, the festival has an uneven but deeply rooted presence in various localities today. Historically, Its epicenter was Pola de Sierowhere it had been celebrated on a massive scale since time immemorial. In Gijón there is also evidence of gatherings of godmothers, although until recently these were more private celebrations in homes, without the public and boisterous character that it has acquired today.
From the 80s onwards, the festival was revitalized and began its expansion to other municipalities in central Asturias.Today it is celebrated with enthusiasm in Siero, Langreo, Gijón, Avilés and Oviedo, and is gaining ground in other towns in the central area of the Principality, with an ever-increasing reception.
Outside of Asturias, we also find similar versions of this festival in other parts of Spain, such as the Basque Country, especially in Guipúzcoa, where exclusively female gatherings with a similar spirit are also held.
What are Les Comadres?
The mechanics are simple, but the meaning is profound. The godmothers, soul sisters, confidantes, accomplices, get together to eat, drink and laugh togetherThe menu, unchanged: bollu preñáu and ciderThis inseparable pairing can easily be compared to other classic duos like Don Quixote and Sancho Panza or Clarín and Vetusta. In some places, the celebration becomes more sophisticated and is held in restaurants and bars; in others, it retains its more private atmosphere.
And the men?Some intrigued reader might ask. Well, men They are also invited.
In summary, Les Comadres They are not an institutional or canonized holidayIts essence lies in the encounter between women. It is not a parade or a performance, but an affirmation of friendship, complicity, and female power, in a playful and festive way.
