The radishes are reputedly good for nerve conditions. Swede's honor St. Lucia on December 13th. The eldest daughter in the family serves her parents a breakfast of saffron-flavored yeast rolls and coffee while wearing white robes and traditionally, a wreath with candles on her head. Other children form a candle-lit procession behind. Caroles are sung in praise of the Queen of Light, who brings hope on the darkest day of the year.
Groups singing caroles go to a house and ask for shelter.
At first they are refused, but then they are invited in to share in Christmas festivities. Incwala Day is a national holiday honoring the King, dating back to festivals where the monarch was honored with a dance by warriors. The King was urged to come out and perform his own unique dance that culminated with him eating a portion of pumpkin, signaling the beginning of the harvest foods feast. Today it is celebrated in either December or January each year. Night of the Radishes .