Why Do You Eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day?

New Year’s Day is pretty close on the calendar and we are here with another article that tells you why exactly Southerners consume black eyed peas on the Eve. As most of us know, people from Southern part of the world eat black eyed peas on the New Year with a belief that they will get good luck and prosperity all the year long. Not just that, there are many other popular beliefs surrounding it. If you are willing to know what Black Eyed Peas New Year’s is all about you must read this article.

New Year’s Black Eyed Peas Tradition

Consuming black eyes peas on the New Year’s Day has many answers and every answer is superstitious in its own way. But still people follow the tradition of eating them very much religiously every Eve. According to the ancients, this custom has been in use since Civil War. They used to be animal food back then. During the war when the soldiers raided the food supplies of the enemies, they used to rob everything except peas. The confederates however used to feel lucky for having left with the food that can easily make them survive the entire winter season. From then they used to be symbolised as luck. 

Black Eyed Peas on New Year's Day
Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day

Another belief surrounding Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day is that, these peas were served to enslaved people and so used to be considered as ‘soul food’. It is also believed that black eyed peas are what all the enslaved people used to consume on the Eve. It was the day when the Emancipation Proclamation came into limelight. So, the black eyed peas were considered to be eaten on the first of January every year.

The Black Eyed Peas New Year’s Tradition also says that as winter is the farming time, black peas used to grow very well and are relatively cheap as well. One can get good serving of them to fill their tummies for almost free. 

With the belief that black eyed peas brings luck, people are obsessed over it and following it with heart ever since. The New Year’s Black Eyed Peas Tradition is being followed by all the Southerners even today. No surprise that it brings luck as the belief says.Well, hope you got the answers for your question Why Do You Eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s. If you are someone who abides by this belief then do share your experience with us. Also, bookmark our website – NEWYEARWIKI.COM for more interesting content on New Year.

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