That very night, the archangel Michael appeared in front of him and told him not to doubt himself even for a minute. She was often given a handsome reward consisting of either money or some gift. During the drinking, everyone wished one another good health and fortune, kissed one another and if moved, sang patriotic songs. One of the carolers played a musical instrument to accompany their songs. So was the case with Polish mythology and folklore which stems from the folklore and beliefs rooted in Slavic religion also known as Slavic paganism which was observed by the Slavs before the introduction of Christianity in the period from the 9th to the 12th century.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'meettheslavs_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-medrectangle-3-0'); When historians and folklorists examine the folklore of each of the Slavic- speaking regions, and later established countries, they conclude that all of them have a mutual folklore history which is full of tales, epic storylines, and creatures such as monsters, demons, devils, princesses, kings, and werewolves. The 10 Most Important Slavic Gods - ThoughtCo Desserts really steal the show on Easter and often consist of cakes such as babka, mazurek, sernik (cheesecake) and more! The Polish can certainly teach us a thing or two about getting hitched to the same person on more than one occasion. Everyone hurried to be first to cut the top of a spruce or fir and other branches. Everyone sang the bridesmaids, the groomsman, the musicians and the wagon driver. In Polish tradition, the bread and salt at the reception are ritual food. By Stanley Garczynski from PGS of Texas Polish Footprints Vol.XII No.4 Winter 1995. Also on Holy Saturday typically Polish ceremonies are performed in the church yard. 7 unique Polish traditions to savour - Real Word Jacek found the flower and made a wish to become rich. He won and released the captives. If there were many stars, they rejoiced, for as many stars as there were in the heavens, that many sheaves of grain would be harvested the next year. This is consistent with my personal history. These smaller sandwiches, called tartinki, are quite possibly responsible for transforming parties in Poland from seated affairs into standing ones. And Polish Easter, besides the spiritual factor, is mostly that. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. When the groom arrived with his Starosta, groomsman and family members, the maid of honor began dressing the bride. On Thursday of the Holy Week, there is a ceremonial washing of the feet of twelve impoverished old men at the church, in memory of the Last Supper. The top of the spruce or pine was hung from a beam in the ceiling, with the tip facing down over the table where the Wigilia was to be held. Religion is not the subject of discussion; it is not discussed because of its personal character.. Reportedly, in the early history of Poland, the banks of the river Vistula were lined with tiny wooden huts where farmers lived. In Polish villages, people would scare youngsters with the story about Latawiec that would seduce and get them if they werent careful enough and finally eat them alive. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); Because one year is not nearly enough. After the wreath was blessed the entire procession made for the manor house, singing the songs that accompanied the event were usually those that were indigenous to the area, perhaps unknown in other villages. In every house, from the richest to the poorest, the table is spread with food that is blessed on Holy Saturday. By Michelle Tea. According to the legend, the father of the mermaid was King Baltic who was the ruler of the seas and the underwater world. Some customs varied at different sections of Poland, but the importance of the holiday was general in the whole country. Easter in Poland | Polish Easter Traditions & Foods - In Your Pocket Meet the Slavs is your most comprehensive online resource about Slavic people, their cuisine, culture, history, mythology, and more. ins.style.display = 'block'; He first encountered the tradition in 1978, before it had acquired the standardized name. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. Did we miss any of your favourite Polish traditions? According to some theories, the monster is a giant catfish which have been reported as creatures who attack water birds and small animals. Boze Narodzenia, Christmas Day, was considered so important a holiday that menial work of any kind was not even thought of. A traditional meat-free Wigilia meal has 12 courses drawn from forest and ocean, field and orchard, representing the months of the year. His name is celebrated more in some Central European countries than is Christmas itself. The younger brother was killed by the older one, Lech, who lied that dragons devoured his brother. However, in the view of Nefrestim, who is a second-generation Wiccan, the current governments conservative bent does make practicing openly uncomfortable. The Legend of King Boleslaw, the Brave, and his Knights is about a mighty and courageous ruler who has united Poland and exalted her state power. It wasn't as bad as another kid in my elementary school classMichael . The flower had magical powers that made dream come true as long as he didnt share his good fortune. 2014 - 2023Grupa MBE sp. Christmas is, apart from Easter (see: Traces of Slavic Pagan Rites in the Polish Easter Tradition), the most celebrating feast in Poland (Lemnis, Vitry 1979:178).This Christian holiday, which is intimate, family, and usually spent with the dearest people, however, goes back to the traditions of pagan-Slavic times (Ibid. The nights were also part of the prognostication. Today, the bishops and their priests do this. Salt had equal footing with bread in all family customs from birth to death. Paganism in Poland - Living, News, Paganism, World - The Wild Hunt (Maybe some of those dont formally identify themselves as Rodzimowiercy/Pagans, which is why the census numbers fall between those two endpoints.). Jacke became thin as a twig out of sorrow and suffered all the time, learning that no happiness is possible without sharing. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The host leaves an empty chair for the deceased and sweeps it away before everyone sits at the table to excuse the soul who isn't there. St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (Sw. Mikolaja albo Mikolajki) It is an ancient pagan tradition held in Poland on the Easter Monday. The Myth of the Mermaid of Warsaw is one of the major myths in Polish history especially when it comes to the city of Krakow. On this special day, young men leaped over bonfires while ladies made wreaths of herbs and cast them to float down the river. The men crept through a window or through a chimney. However, each country has its own version of this mythology and all its features, therefore, it is worth mentioning that events and changes in history have contributed with alterations to mythical stories, legends, and tales so every mythology is unique even when it comes from a common source of cultural and social influences.var cid = '6354310426'; Manage Settings Binding all the traditions together are the beliefs in native Slavic gods, theofferings of mead and food (traditionally groats, white cheese, and bread), a code based on principles of honor, responsibility, and courage, and thecircles of responsibility, which centers on family and widensto include community. Eggs are blessed. Therefore, the crafty nobleman could try out his newly magical persona without paying the price as long as he didnt go to Rome. The most common decorating technique is so called wax-flowing or wax-melting. Boys usually traveled with Szopka, staying within the confines of their neighborhood, but sometimes moving outside into other sections of town or even different villages. This was done with one glass which traveled from hand to hand. The Obra Water Monster is a creature related to a folk tale similar to the one of the famous Loch Ness monster from Scotland. Suddenly, a fairy came up to him and told him to go to the forest and find the flower of the fern which blossomed only on that night. The Easter table will be covered with a white tablecloth. Adherents tend to use a reconstructionist methodology to rebuild their native faith, which has not spread through the English-speaking world as widely as some other European-based Heathen religions. They were able to suppress particular Pagan traditions, but the beliefs and practices simply lived on as folklore or embedded itself in the conquering faith or found a million other outlets through art and literature etc. The practice is symbolic for sending the winter away and preparing nature for spring and its rebirth. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In fact, Easter in Poland is arguably the most import After rewarding those that offered the wreath, the owner signaled to the musicians to start playing. On Good Friday, in some houses mirrors are covered with black cloth and parents wake their children with twigs, whispering the words of a Lent prayer The wounds of God. The second day of the Christmas season (December 26) was St. Stephans Day, the traditional day of visiting and wishing everyone the joy of the holiday season, a direct contrast to Christmas Day. In some areas of Poland, a loaf of common, everyday bread was placed on top of it and topped with more Oplatek. However humble or intricate, the portable crib always portrayed the mysteries of the birth of the Infant Jesus. Pisanki (Polish Easter Eggs) In areas like the mountainous regions where the priest was not able to travel, people brought chalk to church on this day to be blessed. Taking the young girl in his arms, the lord of the manor started dancing. He encouraged him to carry on with his pursuit and told him that he will soon celebrate his victory. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Every year around 21st and 22nd of June, when the nights were extra short and the June solstice arrived, pagan people celebrated fire, water, fertility, love and joy - quite a pagan alternative to modern-day Valentines! The Poles called it the Shepherd Mass, because the shepherds were first to greet the new born Christ. Large or small, the Polish open sandwich will include pretty much whatever you have lying in your fridge cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, egg, dill, whatever. He was supposed to pass down what he learned to the eldest in the next generation: my mother. Satanic Temple candidate loses primary bid, https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/. migus-dyngus - Wikipedia Gniazdo is a magazine created by the Rodzimowiercy, but there are other publications that, according to Rogalinksi, mix traditional and New Age beliefs without providing any context. Often rooted in religion, Polish traditions and customs remain as strong today as they did centuries ago. var alS = 2002 % 1000; Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. 7. The entire family washed themselves in this water in order to assure plenty of money for the rest of their lives. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); for fair and mild spring. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); No one has ever been able to truly eradicate it, despite centuries of tremendous effort. They are not always accompanied by wreath-floating over the water (although you may spot many Polish girls sporting flower crowns with pride), but have gained the character of a family picnic and a night out full of free concerts. These bouquets are carried home and kept until the name day of the following year. The Legend about Sir Twardowski and the Devil is, understandably, a devilish story about one of the most popular devils in Polish folklore that signed a pact with the nobleman Sir Twardowski in the 16th century. The old Polish literature testifies that Bigos, hunters stew, was often used as the principal dish on Christmas Day. The sound of snow bells and horses hoofs could be heard on the cobblestone pavement, while eager young faces with their noses pressed to the window panes shouted, he has come! And sometimes, the Polish even push these celebrations out for a week. Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News. Polish Easter Tradations. On that day in Poland, the youngsters are visited by Sw. Mikolaj. Yet, even in Poland, one of the most Christianized European countries, Pagan religionsare growing within the shadow of the Church. You can also see what it looked like last year! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. More about Warsaw Wianki 2018 here. One day, she decided to swim into the Vistula river from the Baltic Sea and as she was swimming upstream, she reached the area where Warsaw is today. . If a father could afford it, the wedding sometimes lasted three days. The circles are a challenge [to be] understood in a positive way, not a negative one, Rogalinski acknowledged. It is a delightful tradition, Dyngus or Smigus as this custom is called. One celebrates an Obiat (a feast) in memory of the deceased. There, Lech spotted a beautiful white eagle that seemed fierce and protective towards its cubs. Make sure to check if similar events are in your city as well, if it is not included on our list above. He rebuked the mischievous, praised the obedient, listening to the children recite their catechism and prayers, and passed around heart shaped Pierniki, honey cookies, holy pictures and big red apples, which he produced magically from under his cloak. Wianki (literally 'wreaths' in English) is an event that can however be traced back to the bygone days of paganism and has preserved some of its original character. (Dzien Wszystkich Swietych Dzien Zaduszny) Special kits for painting eggs with a funneled pen, color dyes and a wax can be purchased in Ukrainian or Polish gift shops. (https://wildhunt.org/2016/07/paganism-in-poland.html). This caused their king, Mieszko II, to leave the country in 1031, and the uprisings then spilled into a huge peasant insurrection a few years later. All the events above are free of charge. The wreath, arriving only once a year, was cherished and given much care. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. They stopped before a window and sang a carol. Easter in Poland: Traditions Through the Ages - The Northern Vox (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); var t = d.createElement('script'); container.style.maxWidth = container.style.minWidth + 'px'; It was decorated with flowers, ribbons, hazelnuts, and the fruit of the mountain ash tree. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); And the more they are annoyed, the more we dump water on them calling, Dyngus Smigus! ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Like in many other European countries, the arrival of summer is celebrated on St. John's Eve in Poland. Leszek Czarny found the dream to be prophetic and decided to fight further his enemies. (eiderdown)! Art of Coloring Easter Eggs (Pisanki) in Poland: Wax Flowing Technique So was the case with Polish mythology and folklore which stems from the folklore and beliefs rooted in Slavic religion also known as Slavic paganism which was observed by the Slavs before the introduction of Christianity in the period from the 9th to the 12th . Growing up, I never connected with my Polish ancestry, even as it marked me with the unwieldy last name Swankowski. The usual practice of creating and defining heraldry in western Europe put the heads of the state and knights as decision-makers. Crafted from the most beautiful ears of grain, the Dozynki wreath was made in the shape of a dome-shaped crown. What do Polish cities have in store this year? Throughout the Holy Week until the blessing of the fires on Holy Saturday, the Poles are engaged in traditional Easter activities. Upon their return, they wrote the initials of the Three Kings on the door themselves, not to be disturbed until the following year. Feast Of the Three Kings (Trzech Kroli) Jaselka is the general name given to the two forms of Christmas caroling called Szopka and Herody. cultural traditions (first of all, the works of Vechaslav Ivanov and Vladimir Toporov are distinguished). He was attracted to it because of hisextensive historical knowledge of the Slavs. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'adsensetype', 1); Warsaw, Garlands over the Vistula River 23, Krakw, Wianki - a Celebration of Music 23. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); If you are based in this city, you can join the festivities at Centrum Kultury Zamek. The Legend of the Dragon of Krakow (Wawel Dragon), 4. Czech went westward, Rus to the east while Lech went north. var alS = 2002 % 1000; Roots Revival: How Slavic Faith Returned to Poland They are symbols of hospitality and conjugal harmony. Drawning Marzanna in the village Jeziorzany in 2014 [Photo Credit: Jacek wierczyski]. Written by Magda Marczewska on April 5, 2021 One of the craziest Polish traditions is Wet Monday - also known as migus Dyngus! The Polish Legend of St.Johns Night was born in early ancient Slavic times when a ritual of water and fire was performed to honor the shortest night of the year. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Mirrors were turned to the wall so that the soul would not be captured in the room. The happy tradition includes many festivities including parades. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". ins.style.width = '100%'; Laszkas number probably embraces a broader and more diffuse set of people who follow Facebook groups about Rodzimowierstwo and maybe sometimes visit a festival, etc. var pid = 'ca-pub-6145023705656770'; In Poland, it took root in the 13th-15th centuries, and the tradition was to go door to door between 26 December (the second day of . On Tuesday, and every day thereafter until the time of the Green Holidays Pentecost the women doused the men.. Another custom arising from the past, was the belief that spirits pervaded the home on this day. var container = document.getElementById(slotId); The last rite included a funeral banquet. window.StacklaGoConnectConfig.cdn : 'assetscdn.stackla.com'; According to Nefrestim, the city of Pozna hosts two esoteric shops. Gniezno was the first capital of Poland and the name meant home or nest while the white eagle stood as a symbol of power and pride. It's definitely not a Wiccan path, and because of the structure within the spirituality, it's not even something where you can swap out gods of other pantheons and insert the Roman deities. My grandfather was a koldun or village healer in his native land and continued the practice when he came to the US in 1912. Smigus Dyngus In 1863, there was an uprising triggered by the forced enlistment of Polish men into the Russian Army. Another belief was that whichever one of the bridesmaids touched the bride or her wreath first after the marriage would marry that year. My Belarussian grandfather married a Polish woman. Tradition dictates that this be a meatless dinner, that there should be an uneven number of dishes served. Starting on Good Friday and through Saturday, every one visits the various churches in town to view Christs sepulchers so beautifully and artistically arranged and bathed in flowers. In 1954, the Polish writer Ewa Szelburg Zarembina composed a fairy tale inspired by the folklore motifs of the Warsaw Mermaid Story. All myths and mythical creatures primarily come from the need to explain reality. On the same Saturday, in another Vistula-based city, the celebrations focus on music, with multiple stages and artists presenting different music genres. On their way to the Mass, they carefully observed the heavens. Because engagement was as binding as the marriage itself, it was always done in a public act in front of family and friends who acted as witnesses. The Mermaid of Warsaw tried to seduce the Prince by showing him a beautiful place that he was so marveled by that he decided to build a city upon it. To go caroling with Turon required that at least one of the participants be dressed in some type of animal costume and mask. For example, drowning an effigy of Marzanna - to drive back winter and summon spring - dates back to Slavic faith, while Zaduszki, the Polish All Saints' Day, supplanted the older Slavic Forefathers' Eve. Traditionally, this dance was literally the first. In modern Poland, wianki is an event most commonly organised by city councils in major Polish agglomerations. The Polish leave the chair open in the hope that these brave men would return. Polish Holidays: Official and Traditional Celebrations This most delicious of Polish customs offers one last chance to overindulge on anything and everything sweet which the largely Catholic population foregoes for Lent. There are some clashes, but it is more connected to political rather than religious reasons. The Legend of Leszek the Blacks Dream is inspired by the folklore tale about the Polish prince Sen Leszka Czarnego who belonged to the Piast dynasty and ruled in the 13th century. Parties begin mid-morning with a buffet of traditional cuisine and last until after daybreak on Tuesday. The girls knock on the windows and sing songs in praise of their spruce tree. 9 Polish Easter Traditions | Key To Poland It is a Polish tradition to offer the birthday boy or girl 100 years of good wishes, good health and long life. They would take place . This is Easter Monday, and it is due to an ancient custom which is still observed both in villages and cities. The whole country follows an age-old tradition which resembles one big water fight. It is greeted with such mystical symbolism, that it is considered by many to be a greater holiday than Christmas itself. I know some cases when people following other than Catholic paths are discriminated, especially in smaller places and in the villages where people point the finger at those who do not attend mass. Starosta (an intermediary) joined the right hands of the couple above the bread, tied them together with white cloth, and made the sign of the cross over their joined hands representing the joined endeavors of the man and woman to prepare the bread that they always have bread beneath their hands. The severe cold weather and deep snows made family hold their festivities near the hearth within family groups. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that reconstruction became widespread by comparing Slavic data with data from other Indo-European (Baltic, Iranian, German, etc.) First, invitations were issued to relatives or friends to act as groomsmen or bridesmaids. On Holy Saturday afternoon, the mother of the family or an older child carries a basket filled with eggs, hams, sausage, pastries and Easter seasonings to be blessed by the parish priest. This traveling mode of entertaining with caroling provided a somewhat lucrative way of making money and/or receiving something sweet to eat. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The Bible Another explanation is rooted in the New Testament. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; These celebrations, often extended to the following night - 23rd/24th of June, when they were called the Kupala Night or Sobtka instead, were common among all Slavic and Baltic nations, or even further in Europe, but their popularity decreased with the arrival of Christianity, which successfully introduced a substitute holiday - St Johns Eve. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. On Tuesday, the girls are supposed to reciprocate in kind. Native Polish Church - Wikipedia Palm Sunday in Poland The custom of caroling in Poland, or Chodzenie Po Koledzie, began on St. Stephans and lasted until the Feast of the Purification on February 2. And join more than 6 thousand other people. Old fire in the house is put out, then a large bonfire is made in the churchyard. Sheila said, Polish people (in general) are not very good in being understandable and tolerant. Easter in Poland is a beautiful Polish holiday that straddles Christian and pagan traditions. Fascinating how this and other native Eastern European practices have persevered under both Christianity and Communism. Dyngus Day is a Polish and Polish-American celebration on Easter Monday to mark the completion of Lent, and this year, it falls on April 10. On seeing a guest approaching they would begin to play, for which they were sometimes rewarded with a small tip. One of the branches of Slavic mythology, which may be concluded as East Slavic, West Slavic, and South Slavic mythologies is the Polish mythology that belongs to the Western Slavic realm. The tensions between the pagans and Christians were boiling, escalating with the Pagan Reaction in 1030s uprisings which destabilized the new Polish kingdom. var ffid = 2; These willow twigs are used on Palm Sunday as palms to be blessed in the church. After each psalm is sung, a candle light is extinguished to signify the sorrow over the torture of Christ. St. Stephans Day marked the end of work contracts for the year; new bargains were struck for the upcoming year. Easter observances in Poland actually begin on Ash Wednesday, when kocanki or bazie are cut and placed in water. The Rusalkas would come out from the water at a certain time in the year and hid in birch or willow trees where they would lurk over young, attractive men.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meettheslavs_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-115{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:10px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:10px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}.

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