In ancient Latvia, Meteni was a festival celebrated on February 23. The primary attracton was feast which included all the parts of a pig, bread, barley and beer. The people also went sledding. The degree to which one celebrated Meteni was believed to be proportional to the success of one's crops. Thus, farmers and their families danced vigorously to ensure a good harvest. The festival was sacred to Metenis, who was said to arrive on a sleigh on this holiday.
Metenis arrival at the festival is characterized by his sledding over the hill.
In Metenis dainas, which describe these activities, the adjectives long and far predominate assuming analogical meaning in relation to next years crop of flax: the farther one travels to visit relatives and friends and the longer one stays in motion when sledding off a high hill, the taller the flax will grow next summer.
The ceremonial dance performed by the farmers wife serves a similar purpose: it is meant to promote the breeding of livestock and the growth of flax.
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