On the night of 13 January 14 Old New Year is celebrated in countries where Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. What are the traditions of celebrating the Old New Year and Malanka?
In the Ukrainian tradition to celebrate old New Year mark according to the church calendar, since January 14 - Vasiliev day, on the eve of which (13 January), Ukrainians celebrate Christmas Eve and Malanka.
Malanka celebration tradition has reached us, probably even the ancient Slavs, when New Year's Eve in the old style, young people dressed in different clothes comical. And perhaps this tradition is associated with the Day of Venerable Melania, in whose honor were held festivities.
The tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve It got its name from the main course of the New Year table - generous kutePlentifully seasoned with heavy cream and lard. Our ancestors believed that a generous New Year's table will provide them with wealth and prosperity for the entire year.
In addition to the generous kuti necessarily on the table were served cakes, dumplings, sausages, pancakes and pork dishes.
During the gala dinner, our ancestors sat down as a family and always in a clean (or new) clothing, and before that they went to the bath. After New Year's dinner, people went on a visit to those with whom you were in a quarrel, make peace and ask for forgiveness.
Boys who have been rejected by girls, who were in love last year, re-sent matchmakers to them, hoping to get approval from the lovers in a magical New Year's Eve.
Traditions of Malanka celebration
It should be noted that the tradition of Malanka celebration honored and in our time, in some regions of Ukraine, namely, in Bukovina and Carpathian.
Thus, in the Old New Year boys lead Malanka (disguised as unmarried young people) and a goat. Another main character is Vasil - disguised as an unmarried girl. The remaining members of traditional Ukrainian masquerade change into grandfather, Babu, tsigana, ass, police, and other sailors. The masks and costumes of the participants of the action go to their homes and congratulate all of the Old New Year, generous and cheer passersby.
At dawn on January 14, all participants Malanka celebration Didukh going to burn straw and jump over the fire. This rite since ancient times was considered a way to be cleansed of evil spirits.
After that, the young guys are going to sow grain different houses and estates, I congratulate their owners with the Old New Year. Girls walk posevat impossible, as it is believed that it can bring misfortune and misery in the house.
You will also be interested to learn about best riddles of the Old New Year.
Photos from public sources
