Every year, truly Russian holidays are becoming less and less. Of course, people are not deprived and come up with new ones in return for the old. But still, the rejection of truly Russian festivities is a loss of our roots. In order not to forget about the brightest holiday of winter, today we will tell you interesting facts about Shrovetide.
Why did the festivities get such a wonderful name?
Starting to list interesting facts about Shrovetide, one cannot fail to mention the history of the origin of the holiday. Few people know that until the XVII century, in the last week of February, people held pagan rites. At this time, the people celebrated the vernal equinox. But with the spread of Christianity, the holiday was renamed. Remained entertainment, round dances and even the ritual of burning a scarecrow.
And then what did the church bring? She tied the date of Shrovetide to Easter. So now the holiday has become “floating” and directly dependent on the church. The priests acted in the best way, they were guided by the principle: you can’t stop the madness, head it. In the last week of fasting, Christians were allowed to eat eggs and butter. That is why the holiday received such a lovely name - Shrovetide.
What is bear fun?
What makes our state known abroad? Thanks to felt boots, scarves, vodka and bears. Therefore, the next interesting fact about Shrovetide will be associated with shaggy animals.
From ancient times in Russia there was such fun, which was called "bear fights." These entertainments were arranged on Maslenitsa, as by the end of winter the animals woke up. Who participated in the bear fights? Entertainment was divided into three types:
Harassment The bear was tied to an iron pole installed in the center of the square. And a dog was set on a furry animal. The fight was considered over when the bear fell or when the dog died. If the forest dweller turned out to be too tenacious and lively, dogs were incited to him until he was completely exhausted.
Fight with a man. It was a folk entertainment in which brave guys showed their skill and courage. The man entered the pen to the bear; he had driftwood as a weapon. The fight went to victory. If the bear killed the guy, then the next volunteer entered the fray.
Circus performance. But with the bears they did not always come into confrontation. Sometimes animals were tamed, and then trained animals showed circus numbers.
Where did the tradition to climb a pole come from?
Festivities on Shrovetide have always been accompanied by a variety of contests for which they gave prizes. One of the most popular entertainment to this day is the conquest of the ice pillar.
Where did this tradition come from? From paganism. Previously, people climbed a pillar not for gifts, but for spiritual enlightenment. It was believed that it can only be achieved by a person whose body and soul are in good shape. Gradually, gifts began to be hung on the pillar - these were scarves, fur coats or felt boots.
Today, on the public holiday of Pancake week, there are also daredevils who conquer the pillar of ice. But their gifts are no longer waiting in heaven, but on earth. A piece of paper is pinned to the top of the column, with the image of the win, whoever takes it off receives the present.
Why burn a scarecrow?
Festivities on Maslenitsa are held all day. And in the evening they always burn a scarecrow. Some sincerely believe that they burn Shrovetide, but this is not so. The scarecrow symbolizes the winter that people see off.
It used to be a tradition that everyone gathered in the square scolded the cold, hunger and snowfall. But they did not forget to thank winter for the snowmen, funny fun and cozy evenings. After such heartbreaks, dances were held and dances were held. And only then the scarecrow was burned. This ritual was held in honor of the coming spring, and with the same they gave honor to the boring winter. After the straw doll burned out, the youth jumped over the dying bonfire.
Today, a stuffed animal on Shrovetide is burned out of habit rather. Although many still honor this ritual and create dolls from hay on their own.
Shrovetide is celebrated only in Russia?
A truly Slavic holiday is also popular in other countries. In Denmark, before Lent, people instead of pancakes bake rich buns. They fill them with raisins and candied fruits. The decoration is cinnamon and powdered sugar.
An interesting fact about Shrovetide is that the Norwegians also prefer not pancakes, but buns, and they get them from neighbors, and in a very original way. The day before Maslenitsa, an “Pancake week” is made. People decorate a birch branch with feathers, flowers or berries. With such a tool in the morning they go to the neighbors and whip those who sleep. It is believed that the "sleepyhead" "partakes" of the suffering of Jesus. Having received corporal punishment, the landlord must feed unexpected guests with fancy buns.
But the Americans have nothing against the Russian goodies. They also bake pancakes at Shrovetide. And they eat them the same way for seven days.
What records did people set on Maslenitsa?
The Slavic holiday was always celebrated on a grand scale. Pancake week 1777 appears in Russian history. This year Catherine II had a grandson, and she walked in a big way. In one day, the empress gave the winners of street competitions 150 diamonds. The stones were real, and of excellent purity.
Andy Robel, a chef from Australia, was able to make a stack of pancakes of 76 cm. Today it is a record height.
Dominic Kuzakrea was able to not only toss a pancake to a height of almost 10 meters with a pan, but also caught it with the same pan.
Why is it believed that the first pancake is lumpy?
Before the advent of Christianity, our ancestors brought gifts and sacrifices made not only to spirits, but also to animals.
Shrovetide used to be called Komoeditsa. After all, it was in the spring that the bears woke up, who were called "comas." For them, they baked pancakes and carried them as gifts to the forest. Thus, people appeased both spirits and bears.
A good housewife did not burn pancakes, so the first product was not lumpy, but “lumps", that is, forest inhabitants.
Other interesting facts about the holiday
Why pancakes are eaten at Shrovetide. There are two explanations. One of them says: a pancake is like the sun, and Pancake week is a holiday of spring. And the second option is more everyday: by the beginning of spring there was no food, and there was not enough food for making rich pies. And pancakes can be mixed with eggs, flour and water.
On Maslenitsa, all the youth of the village took part in games and fun. One of them was horse riding. Guys to Maslenitsa bought beautiful harnesses, harnessed horses in a sled and rolled girls around the village.
Snow town capture games were also common. Skating from the icy mountains was also considered fun, which was honored by the outgoing winter.
Before Shrovetide became a national holiday, it was considered a sacrament of initiates. People met in small groups, asked the gods for the coming of spring, burned ritual bonfires, sang songs and greeted the dawn. All this happened on the day of the vernal equinox.
Today Shrovetide is reckoned from the bright holiday of Easter. It is celebrated in 58 days. Shrovetide lasts a week, and each day has its own meaning. On Monday, our ancestors made a straw doll. On Tuesday, dressed up and went to the neighbors. On Wednesday, pancakes were started in all villages in the villages. On Thursday fist fights took place. On Friday, they went to pancakes to mother-in-law, and on Saturday to sister-in-law. On Sunday there was a public festivity, where people would dance and burn a scarecrow.