Date :
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Belarus is full of rites and rituals. Unfortunately, not all the traditions of our ancestors have survived to this day. Therefore, it is very important to preserve them, passing them on from generation to generation.
Some of them deserve close attention and need state protection as historical and cultural value. And there are such unique rites that they were included in the lists of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Let's learn the most interesting original traditions of our country.
«Yury round dance»
V. Pogost, Zhitkovichi district
A colorful ritual is held on May 6 and is dedicated to the arrival of summer. The patron saint of the holiday is Saint Yuri (George), who is responsible for agriculture and livestock. On this day, yards and houses are traditionally put in order. And to ensure a rich harvest, a loaf of bread called "round dance – khorovod in Russian" is baked in honor of the holiday and decorated with baked goods in the form of ears of corn, flowers and ribbons.
After passing under the "gates of towels" with the image of the Mother of God, a loaf of bread and an eight-pointed star, the solemn procession heads to the field. There, all participants pray, and then sing ritual songs and dance in a circle. Upon returning, the procession goes around each house, where the hosts distribute treats.
«Driving and the funeral of Arrow»
At. Stolbun, Vetka district
Another unusual ritual that replaces spring with summer takes place in Eastern Polesie. As a rule, on the 40th day after Easter, when Orthodox believers celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.
Well-dressed women meet in the central part of the village and march towards the field singing songs, holding each other's arms. That's where the ritual begins - "the funeral of Arrow", where each participant in the ritual, making a wish, buries a small metal object in the ground. And when they return, they perform ditties and songs associated with summer.
«Carol Kings»
V. Semezhevo, Kopyl district
The villagers adopted this ritual from the Russian army soldiers, who for many years congratulated the villagers on New Year's Eve. By putting on noisy and cheerful performances in every house, the soldiers received food and small gifts in return.
The evening of January 13 was nicknamed Generous and the tradition has been preserved to this day. All the men of Semezhevo village dress up in soldiers' uniforms, arrange a humorous congratulatory event, and when darkness falls, they take part in a torchlight procession.
«Budslav Festival»
V. Budslav, Myadel district
This is the largest pilgrimage festival in the country. Pilgrims from all over the country come to worship one of the main shrines every summer. Many believers walk tens of kilometers. The main part of the celebration is a night procession with lighted candles in hands.
26 years ago, the legendary Budslav Icon of the Mother of God was crowned by Cardinal Kazimir Sventek. Thus, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary received the status of a National Sanctuary.
«Three Kings»
Grodno region
On Christmas Eve, the "wise men" Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar not only go around the courtyards with congratulations, but can also stay overnight in one of the houses. This brings good luck to the hosts, so they generously treat their dear guests and present them with gifts.
About five centuries ago, on this day, Roman Catholic churches consecrated censers and gold objects. And only a few centuries later, they began to bless a piece of chalk. Every year, believers draw the initials of the names of the three kings above their front door.
By the end of the last century, the festive round was interrupted, but thanks to the old-timers, the tradition was revived with the participation of the younger generation. The celebration of the Three Kings is called the generous day, and on the generous evening, children and relatives receive gifts from their loved ones.
«Koniki»
David-Gorodok, Stolin distirct
The tradition originated at the beginning of the last century. According to legend, a Cossack quartered in David-Gorodok rode around the courtyards on horseback with congratulations. And in our time, mummers led by the main character, - "the rider", who wears a structure in the form of a horse, look into every courtyard.
The ritual begins with gathering at sumptuous festive tables. Then the participants change into homemade costumes and go to give generously. Konik always goes first. Recently, Ded Moroz and Snegurochka have been added to the already existing numerous characters.
Not a single house goes by without congratulations and wishes for health and all the best, and the hosts generously treat the carolers. The event ends with festivities until the morning on the central square.
Tereshka's Marriage
Lepel district
This colorful and humorous custom is a historical and cultural value of the Republic of Belarus and is waiting for its turn to be included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.
An old Belarusian game that took place at night during Christmastide. Initially, the goal of the game was for unmarried youth to get to know each other better by trying on the role of married people. The resulting couples were bound by friendly relations until the end of the year.
Nowadays, the ceremony is held in a large village house. The obligatory honorary participants are the "mother" and the "father". When the time comes, someone says "Shouldn't we marry Tereshka?", and the so-called parents start looking for couples. After all the couples are made, fun ritual games begin.
Rite «Barbarian Candle»
V. Bastenovichi, Mstislavl district
The peculiarity of this quitrent ritual is that only women can bring the quitrent. By lighting a candle, they ask for help, health and happiness.
Every year, on the eve of St. Barbara's Day, the candle is passed on to another house, where the owner dresses it in a new outfit, sewn with her own hands. Last year's "clothes" of the candle are left in the church so that everyone in need can take a piece home.
In the evening, women gather again to honor the candle in the new house. For decades, the candle moves from house to house in strict order. Next to the candle there is always an icon of the holy martyr Barbara.
