Ancient Roman holiday held on
April 15, honoring Tellus (also called Terra Mater),
goddess of the earth. It was observed through the
ritual sacrifice of pregnant
cows (
fordae). The cows were then divided up and distributed to the people. The
unborn calves were removed by the
Vestal Virgins and then burned. The ashes were saved to be used later in the month (April 21) for the Parilia (or Palilia)
festival, honoring Pales, goddess of shepherds and herdsmen. The purpose was promoting
fertility of the land and
livestock.
Poor cows...