Winter is a magical time of the year, but very cold. How boring every morning to feel the frosty air, to see snow, hoarfrost, sleeping nature. I want the spring sun, the first greenery, birdsong! Our ancestors believed that in the spring it is difficult to overcome winter and drive it away. They helped heat and light to take over their rights, and for this they needed a holiday - Maslenitsa. The date of the celebration falls a week before Lent. The history of this weekly walk is interesting and unusual.
The sun
Maslenitsa took its roots from the Gentiles, our ancient ancestors. They wanted to help the young spring overcome the old cold winter. For this, funny festivities were arranged, which lasted exactly seven days. After all, this number was considered magic! People praised Yarila - the god of the sun and fertility. They represented him in the image of a young man who rose once a year and brought warmth, giving a good harvest.
But over the centuries, everything has changed, Russia has converted to Orthodoxy, and from our ancestors we have only Maslenitsa. The date is very suitable - the week before Lent, you can eat some goodies and begin to fast with a calm soul!
Simple name
The name of the holiday was not chosen by chance. Cajole, appease the spring so that it soon gives the people the long-awaited warmth. But this is only one version. From other sources it is known: the name came from the fact that people baked mountains of pancakes and savored them with oil, ate in large quantities. After all, the date of Shrovetide is close to the post closely, and a week before it is no longer possible to eat meat. People were saturated with dairy products, because pancakes with sour cream are an overeating. During these seven days it was possible to gain a few kilograms in weight. After all, pancakes in each house lay on the table with high pyramids! All kinds of jams, jams were prepared, honey was served on the table. But in addition to pancakes, the hostess cooked delicious pastries all week, so that an Orthodox person could have plenty to eat before Lent, Pancake Week helped him. The celebration date changes every year, but usually falls on the month of March.
Fun
Of course, this holiday was accompanied not only by gluttony. Festivals, fist fights, mini-performances, and concerts were held on city squares. People had fun from the heart, attracting spring. The tradition did not sink into the centuries, but improved, cultivated. The date of Shrovetide is now known to every student, because the children are looking forward to this day to celebrate it with friends. In 2016, the holiday lasted from March 7 to 13. Parents prepare mountains of pancakes, and the guys together eat them right in the class for a cup of tea! Such holidays are only beneficial for children. After all, it unites the team, makes it possible to learn about the life of ancestors. The class teacher must tell the children about the origin of the holiday, its traditions. The younger generation should know why and when Maslenitsa is celebrated in Russia. The date of the holiday is announced in advance, so that everyone has time to prepare for the celebration.
Sun circle
Among the Gentiles, the circle was considered the most favorable sign. Therefore, women baked round cakes of flour and water, later they turned into lace pancakes with milk. They believed that the more pancakes you eat, the faster the long-awaited spring will come. People worshiped the circle, it symbolized prosperity, abundance, prosperity.
Sun worship is one of the most significant pagan ritual acts. Young people made a wooden circle and tied bright ribbons, flowers to it. He was attached to a long pole and staged a procession through the village. Then the circle was established in the square and round dances were led around it, paying tribute to the sun.
Riding around the village on horseback was also a favorite pastime in those distant years. It was necessary to do seven circles in order to attract fertility and warmth, to lure spring. Everyone was looking forward to when the date of Shrovetide was approaching. People wanted a holiday, fun, festivities until the morning and delicious food.
Disservice
All winter the bear sleeps in a cozy den, but only after smelling the spring, it comes out. People attracted the sun and heat with the help of this forest beast. Of course, no one drove a living bear through the streets. One of the tallest and largest men of the settlement was tied up in a bear's clothing. Here he was with a cheerful crowd and walked the streets, entertaining passers-by. The bear danced until the fall, showing everyone that spring had come, he woke up and was glad that today is the date of Shrovetide.
The joy of people from such a spectacle knew no bounds. They imitated the dance of an awakened bear, treated it to delicious food, and led round dances with a club-footed friend.
Terribly beautiful
The main attribute of this fervent holiday is a scarecrow. The final and most striking moment is the burning of a scarecrow on a fire. They made something similar to the silhouette of a woman from straw, tied it in old clothes, wrapped it in a bright scarf, painted eyes, cheeks, red lips, and a nose. From the very first day of Shrovetide, this stuffed animal was everywhere carried with it on a long stick. It personified the holiday itself , winter, cold. Therefore, according to tradition, on the last day of festivities it was necessary to burn it. How much joy this brought the children, they danced around the fire, laughed and rejoiced that winter had left them for a whole year.
This tradition has survived to this day. In each city on the square they burn a scarecrow of Pancake week and continue the fun. Be sure to attend this event, get a lot of new impressions and emotions.
Mini calendar
Everyone in our country knows how the date of Shrovetide is determined. The people are preparing in advance for this celebration, because it lasts a whole week. And there is no chaos in these days, everything should go according to schedule:
- Monday - opens the holiday week, this day is not at all difficult, but even vice versa. People bake the first pancakes and distribute to the poor to remember the dead. Meanwhile, men finish preparations for the holiday, establish booths, tents, swings, benches and tables.
- Tuesday - the second day of the holiday is called Zaigrysh. In the evening, ride a roller coaster. Everyone is dragging a huge sled and a noisy whirlwind slide down the ice hill. Laughter is everywhere, cries of delight are heard, all ruddy and contented.
- Wednesday is the most “delicious” day of Shrovetide - Gourmands. Mother-in-law invites sons-in-law to pancakes with fragrant tea.
Half the battle
So half of Pancake week flew by. Now the fun begins:
- Thursday - the most fun and funny day - Wide revelry. The streets are full of entertainment: dancing, songs, fist fights, competitions, riding on a swing and horses.
- Friday - this day is called Mother-in-law's evening. Now the mother-in-law should pay a return visit, her son-in-law is waiting for her at the laid table with open arms.
- Saturday - the day has come and for the festivities of the girls - Zolovkina gatherings. Daughter-in-law went on a visit to their sister-in-law, the girls carried on emotional conversations, had fun and gossiped. The main tradition of this day - the daughter-in-law should give a good gift to her husband’s sister.
- Sunday is the last day, the most fun and sad at the same time. So I do not want to stop the series of these wonderful holidays. This day is called Forgiveness Sunday. People should ask each other for forgiveness, even the worst enemies on this day can be reconciled forever. After the adoption of the Orthodox faith on this day, it was necessary to come to the temple. There you can apologize even to strangers, in response to hearing the phrase: "God will forgive!"
Noisy week
Having fun all week is not so easy. After all, people had time not only to eat pancakes and dance, they had to do their job and household chores. After such a noisy and hectic week, people tried to relax, the streets were quiet and calm. Date Shrovetide and Easter date are not nearby in the Orthodox calendar. Shrovetide, although recognized as a holiday, was not equated to Christian. The church does not prohibit noisy festivities, but does not encourage them. After all, this holiday is originally pagan!
Christianity is a tolerant religion. Therefore, the Pancake Week is preserved, but not as a sacred holiday, but as a week of rest. Indeed, in ancient times, these days they conducted all kinds of pagan rituals, revived the earth after hibernation and even made sacrifices. People believed that the earth should be drunk with strength so that the harvest was plentiful, good. Indeed, at that time it was the only source of food. The people worshiped the earth, numerous gods.
Celebrate this fun holiday, have fun with all your heart. Let the children know more about this day, because information and knowledge are not superfluous. On Shrovetide week, it is customary to visit relatives and friends, hold lavish feasts. An abundance of dairy products will benefit the body. Dance, sing, eat pancakes and walk with all your heart!