Chestnuts are one of the most characteristic and abundant fruits in the north western area of Málaga province, and in autumn people buy them ready-roasted (usually sold at bakeries) or roast them at home.
El Tostón (which basically comes from the word tostar – to roast), is celebrated on the 1st November and is an annual tradition that over the years has become taken over a little because of the popular American celebration of Halloween, but Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara, together with towns in the surrounding areas such as Manilva, Benahavís, Istán and Ojén, are fighting to bring back the tradition of the ‘tostones’.
Until a few years ago, many of the inhabitants of the above-mentioned villages, on the eve of All Saints, organised night time excursions to the nearby fields of each municipality, where they enjoyed a magical evening in which their main provisions were chestnuts and aguardiente (schnapps). Unfortunately, since the Junta de Andalucía prohibited making fires in the mountains, this tradition has lost part of its charm.
For the past few years, Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara have hosted tostones, which are only celebrated at locations specially earmarked by the town council. Last year, El Tostón was held at Los Tres Jardines Park in San Pedro, located near the industrial area of the town.
During All Saints’ Day and upcoming dates, San Pedreños visit the graves of their loved ones to take fresh flowers. Formerly, when the cemeteries were far from the urban centre, El Tostón was carried out in the vicinity of the cemetery. Bonfires were lit and old hollowed out pots were placed on the fire filled with chestnuts.
Schnapps was another important element in this tradition. For it was attributed supernatural powers and purification as it was considered that by drinking it in front of the fire where chestnuts were roasted and eaten, you would then be free from the evils of your soul.
Back in the days, Marbella and San Pedro villagers celebrated this tradition, inherited from the ancient Celtic celebration of the Samhain Gaelic festival, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
Fortunately, nowadays, collective groups together with the town council, continue to promote the El Tostón tradition, as it’s a wonderful family driven celebration, and good fun is always assured whilst enjoying nature at the same time.
Chestnuts are now eaten by many people in homes across San Pedro—an ideal time to enjoy our customs that now more than ever, need to be taken care of and promoted.