Hogswatch

Hogswatch is a fictional holiday from Terry Pratchett's Discworld introduced in Hogfather. The first of Ick is Hogswatchday, the Disc's New Year, and the winter solstice from the perspective of Ankh-Morpork. In the Astronomical Year the second midwinter (the year's midway point) is called Crueltide, but to people using the Agricultural Year this is the same festival.

The 32nd of December, or the day before the New Year, is known as Hogswatchnight. Traditionally associated with pig-killing, to ensure there is enough food for the rest of the winter. Many Hogswatch traditions are parodies of those associated with Christmas, including a decorated oak tree in a pot, strings of paper sausages, and, of course, a visit by the Hogfather. By tradition, witches do not leave the house on Hogswatchnight. No-one knows why, but that's not the point, this is true of a lot of Hogswatch traditions. Nanny Ogg gets around this tradition by inviting the rest of the town in instead.

The name is a pun on "hogwash", Hogmanay and Watch Night, and possibly on the ancient holiday of Samhain.

In the Omnian religion, Hogswatchnight is called the Fast of St Ossory. Omnians celebrate with fasting, prayer meetings, and the exchange of religious pamphlets.

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