Crying the Neck

Crying the Neck is a super old tradition from a place called Devon and Cornwall in the United Kingdom. It happens after the farmers cut the last bit of corn from the fields. One farmer holds up the very last bunch of corn, called the 'neck,' and everyone shouts special words. It's like a cheer to say 'Hooray, harvest is done!' It’s a way to celebrate all the yummy food they grew.

Long, long ago, when farmers used their hands and sickles to cut all the corn, this tradition was very popular. It was a big part of finishing the harvest. But then, amazing machines like the combine harvester came along.

These machines do the work much faster! Because of these machines, Crying the Neck didn't happen as much anymore. It's like when you get a new toy that makes an old game less fun.

This tradition was important because it was a way for everyone to come together and celebrate a successful harvest. It was a happy time after a lot of hard work. Even though machines do the harvesting now, some people still do Crying the Neck to remember the old ways and have a fun party. It’s like celebrating your birthday even if you got a present early!

It’s not really crying like when you’re sad! The farmer holds up the last bit of corn, the 'neck,' high in the air. Then, everyone gathers around and shouts special words together. It’s a chant or a call. It’s a bit like singing a song at a sports game to cheer for your team. They are cheering for the harvest and saying thank you for the food.