Traditions of the nation characterize the people not only in presence but also in its historical past.

Traditions are observed in civil, family and public aspects of life. Traditions are the unwritten laws, people guided by in trivial everyday and global international affairs. Both traditions and the language unite people in a folk and in a nation. Traditions and the language have been creating for a long time by every nation.

Oleksa Voropaj ”Traditions of Our People”

National Calendar

National calendar is the supreme manifestation of the culture. Almost every day of Ukrainian people has been submitted to rituals. These traditions were formed during pagan times and harmoniously entered Christianity formalism. Velukden (Easter), Christmas, Trinity were considered to be the most solemn, and now they have received the status of state holidays.

Oleksa Voropaj describes” Svyatuj Vechir” (Holy Eve) in his book as follows:

 “… For a long time Ukrainian people have been creating on that day the image of wealth, happiness, peace and calmness in their homes by magic words and actions.

At the very dawn, when the day was breaking the hostess started her work. The first magic action was to get fire. The hostess took out a flint, which had been kept for the last twelve days under icons. She crossed and, standing east facing, made “new “ fire. She stoked a furnace using twelve logs, which she had been storing and drying for twelve days of the last month.

In several minutes dry logs were flaming drawing magic shadow ghosts on the opposite wall.

Mistress put a kerchief over the head, rolled up her sleeves and got down to prepare twelve holly dishes: she puts stewed fruit, boils pea, deans, stewed cabbage, fish, makes varenyky, prepares potatoes, mushrooms, buckwheat porridge with hemp milk, goludzi stuffed with millet, poppy tart and kuttia with ground wheat. Children assisted her, but the oldest daughter was the most helpful. 

This wealthy but fast dinner presents the main field, kitchen garden and garden products, as if the hostess reports to the coming year about harvest of the previous one”.

At the period of holidays people don’t run a household, except the most necessary. If they break mentioned above rules, they considered being sinners and misfortune was supposed to follow them. People decorated their dwellings with embroidered towels, artificial paper flowers and “vytynanky” – paper lace cuttings, which beautified walls.

Holiday feast on the eve of Christmas (Holly Dinner, Wealthy Kuttia, Viliya) was a solemn ceremony. Clean hay was spread out under the icons, and the pot full of kuttia – wheat porridge dressed with honey, poppy and nuts - was put on it. Ground floor was covered with straw. The host was to bring a wheat or rye or oat sheaf- “didukh” to the house. In several days he or “kolyadnyky” (carol singers) were to thresh it and with the received grains p eople started sowing.

In the villages of Podillya a festive table also was covered with hay, gallic was put on the corners (it served as a talisman) and at last a tablecloth covered everything. At times an ax was under the table and the family put the legs on it to be “as hard as an ax”. The dinner consisted of twelve dishes, that was believed to bring prosperity next year. That is why the poorest host bent every effort to meet Christmas in the best way. The supper started with kuttiya. The table always had one extra place-setting for the deceased family members, whose souls, according to belief, come on Christmas Eve and partake of the food. Food debris was left for them (dishwashing was considered a sin on that day). All members of the family put spoons into the pot with kuttja for the night for the forefathers to eat the porridge. It was also a part of a fortune telling: a turned over spoon in the morning predicted death of its owner.     

The festive table was striking by its variety, though it was a fast. The most important dish was of course kuttia. There are several recipes how to prepare it. It is made of wheat, honey, nuts and other ingredients. In the course of holidays, Epiphany including, kuttia is to stand at the honorary place in Your dwelling. It is a tradition to pray for the souls of dead relatives that day.

Livestock was believed to speak that day. That’s why horses, oxen, cows were fed with bread. On Holy Supper a traditional ceremony exchange was observed as well. Relatives, godparents used to exchange dishes: as a rule they sent to each other kuttia, fish, tarts, “kmush” (special kind of a holiday bread, made of different kinds of flour). That symbolized close and tight family relationships, mutual respect. Children who delivered the dishes were treated and presented with pastry cooks, nuts, apples and sweets. 

Christmas Eve or the first evening of Christmas started with carols singing. The group of youth visited every house, sang carols glorifying the host and hostess wished them prosperity and wealth and received presents in return. This singing performance was based on the “first day” magic, according to which the wishes uttered that day are sure to become true. The group of fellows headed by “bereza” (the boy carrying a church bell as a power symbol) first of all paid a visit to priest and sang carols in his inner porch or at the windows. Then they visited “pun” (their master) and each host. Money received for caroling as well as yarn, bread and eggs was carried to patrimony. Carols were sung by several voices, preferably in choir, sometimes accompanied by violin, cymbals, and tambourine.

In a week after Christmas caroling, on New Year’s Eve people celebrate Schedryj Vechir (which, loosely translated, means "bountiful night."). This day preserves ancient pre-Christian element. According to Christian calendar this day is considered to be Saint Melanka Day. These holidays have been united and now we celebrate Schedryj Vechir or Melanka Holiday. On Schedryj Vechir “bagata kuttia” (rich kuttia) is to prepare, but on Melanka Holiday (January, 13), the day before Vasyl Day “schedra kuttia” (bountiful kuttia) is made. It is dressed with grease. That is the reason why this day is called bountiful. All the family gathers that day. It is very essential to be in thoroughly clean clothes. After supper families visit neighbors and they ask each other to forgive their sins in order to meet the New Year in peace and forgiveness. “Naddniepryans’ka” Ukraine (central part of Ukraine) and Guzul’scshuna (west part) celebrate Schedryj Vechir as an important day of Christmas holidays following bright and merry traditions. Galuz’ke Podillia doesn’t celebrate it, as Galych people celebrate this holiday on the Eve of Epiphany, while in the central part of Ukraine this day is considered  “Golodna Kuttia” (hungry kuttia).   

If the farther on Schedruj Vechir is hidden from children behind the patties –that is a good sign symbolizing generosity and wealth.

 “In the evening at nightfall the mother used to light a candle in front of the icons, burn incense in the house and put a crock bowl full of patties. The farther used to sit in the corner his head down. In such a way he was hiding behind the patties. And we, children, pretended not to notice them.   

-Mom, where’s our farther?

-Can’t you see me, babies?

-No, Dad, we can’t!

-May God grant you no to see me next year!

So, and then the farther used to cross and invite all the members of the family to the “bountiful night”- “in order to meet next holidays in prosperity and calmness”.

Hardy had we set, “schedrivku” (Christmas singing) were heard outside:

“Holy Eve, the master! Save God your livestock, your livestock! Let God give you prosperity! Pray for your mother and father! Holy Eve!”

Special attention was paid to maidens’ fortune telling. All kinds of tricks were made by fair sex to find out their future. For example: before going to sleep they put a comb under the pillow saying:” My promised husband, come and comb my hair”. The man in a dream was likely to be a future husband.

According to the folk omen, if you go outside at midnight you may hear the way the New Year chasing away the Old Year. The sowing tradition was widely spread at the first day of the New Year. This tradition is believed to originate from pre-Christian times, as our forefathers celebrated New Year not in winter but in spring. That is why sowing tradition is connected with the hopes for a good harvest. Mostly children were sowing, and the first comers were gifted most generously. Sowing might be performed by a child or by a group. In such a case this interesting tradition turned into bright performance with Vasyl, Melanka, Gypsy as the main characters.

The last week before Lent one should celebrate merrily because there are a lot of self-restrained behavior and restrictions before. Every day of this week used to have its particularities and special traditions. Let us consider each of them:

On Monday women went to “korchma” (pub) and started celebrating Maslyany holiday. If men wanted to join their company the chock was to be put on the neck.  A man was allowed to take it off only having paid “magarych” (vodka). On Tuesday women again meet in the pub. After the feast in the pub everyone come out and continue celebrating all day long.

Wednesday is not connected with special ritual and it is called “Znoby-baby” (Women-snobs). One is likely to have the feeling that Maslayny is a real paradise for women, because on Tuesday they go on feasting as well. Besides, they are forbidden to spin and sew that day. On Friday a son-in-law is to be treated with vodka and then he should drive his mother- in-law along the streets of the village or city. The driving-service depends on mother’s -in-law character: severe and shrew women is driven on a bad earth road, a nice and kind mother-in-law – on a straight one. Saturday is not marked with any interesting rituals. The most luxurious day is Sunday. Varenyky stuffed with country cheese were prepared specially for that day (in contrast to Russian pancakes). Mass parties, outgoings, amusements, entertainments were held. That day people visited their relatives and neighbors and asked to forgive each other in order to purify themselves before Lent. Vodka was forbidden to drink, and before going to sleep a man had to rinse the mouth for the devils not to take away the cheese left in the mouth after Maslayny.     

The Sunday before Easter is called Willow Sunday. According to the Bible Jesus came to Jerusalem riding an ass. People spread palm branches before him, that’s why catholic people call this holiday Palm Sunday. Ukrainian flora is not rich in palms and willow tree is used instead of it. Small wonder, willow was considered a holy tree, and was one of the first in the Spring to show signs of life  

On that day branches of the willow tree (called loza) are blessed in the Church and given to the faithful. Returning home parents tap their children with a blessed branch saying:

The willow is hitting,

I’m not hitting,

be as healthy as the water,

be as wealthy as the earth.

The people believed that by tapping each other with the freshly blooming willow tree branch, they could draw from it the same energy and strength, which allowed it to come to life. Besides, if you keep a willow tree branch it will protect your dwelling from fire.

The week preceding Easter is called Holy Week to commemorate the Passion. Every day of this week makes us closer to Christ’s Resurrection. This week is considered to be the strictest fast week. Even dancing and singing is forbidden that day. “Strastnyj” so called Pure Tuesday abounds with different rituals. Traditionally women bake paska - Easter ritual bread. Paska is not simply Easter ritual bread; it symbolizes Christ’s body, that’s why its preparation demands special care and attention. Before starting to bake a woman should to pray in order to purify thoughts and intentions. On Pure Tuesday people are to wash thoroughly, especially children and the sick as Pyre Tuesday water washes all deceases and misfortunes away. The candle prepared on Pure Tuesday is called a passion candle. It protects the dwelling from fire and the owners from deceases. That is the very candle, which brings “live” fire burnt before in churches. It’s very important not to blow out the candle and manage to bring it to the house. There is a superstition that God that day lets righteous go to the Earth for “Mortuary Easter” celebration. So visiting the church late at night one can see the way the dead glorify Christ’s Resurrection, and the dead priests celebrate church service.

The most sorrowful day is Friday, the day of Christ’s death. Man is forbidden to eat at all, sing, and listen to music. In the evening people go to church to see "plashchenytsia" representing the tomb of Christ. Sewing, washing and cutting is forbidden. Breaking this rule is considered to be an unforgivable sin.

On Holy Saturday people make all kinds of preparation for the coming Easter. Hostesses have their hands full baking and cooking. People decorate “pysanky” (Easter eggs). The beauty of “pysanka” is spoken all over the world about. There is even a monument dedicated to it in Canada. Red color is preferably used for painting as a symbol of Christ’s blood. Onion peel is to be carried to the river and put on the water. Judging by the legend it is believed to reach happy raghman lands in 25 dats and tell the souls of the righteous about Christ’s Resurrection.

Easter – the Great holiday, the main Orthodox holiday (catholic people consider Christmas the first holiday). That day the soul is delivered to fill with fair hopes. And nature wakes up from a long winter sleep and in unique harmony with humanity meets Christ raised from the dead. 

One is forbidden to sleep on the Easter Eve not to miss anything. In the evening all people go to the church on vespers. People take beautiful baskets filled with different staff products – pork fat, horseradish, liver, golydzi, everything what they have prepared for blessing but for “okovyta” (a sort of vodka). Church procession accompanied with choir is blessing people and the baskets they have brought.

During a Resurrection Mass witches can be revealed. They may touch the priest’s hand and try by all means to stay in a temple after evening divine service when all people are to leave the church. Coming back home before eating the girls are to wash with the water, where a blessed Easter egg has been put, in order to be as beautiful as a picture. There is also a sound advice for those who want to get rid of cockroaches: returning home one should make the following dialog: "What are we going to eat right now? Blessed eggs and paska.  And what are cockroaches going to eat? Cockroaches.

In spite of the art of cookery on the table, paska is the first to taste. Not a crumb of that bread is to be thrown out. A paska slice is to be kept for good as a talisman for happiness. 

There is a great amount of Easter entertainments. The most well known is “navbytky” game (children choose “krashanky” (Easter eggs) and they beat one egg of another). The winner is a person with an uncracked egg.  Moveable entertainments were also popular, such as “Zhychka” game, “Dovga Bereza” (Long Birch) and others.

The person who dies on Easter is considered to be the happy one, as Easter is the very day when Paradise gates are open and the soul can get there without any court. It is believed, that on Easter night all the earthly values are accessible and they spackle with magic lights, but only the youngest child in a family with pure intentions can see them. For forty days till Ascension Day all Christians greet each other saying:” Christ is Risen!” and responding “He truly has risen! “. Next week after Easter is called “Svitlyj” (Light) week and is celebrated as if one day.

On the fiftieth day after Easter Orthodox church celebrates Pentecost, according to national calendar it is called Trinity. Bible says, that on that very day apostles have received the Holy Spirit’s grace. People celebrate Trinity for three days. The first day is “Zelena “ or “Klechal’na Nedilya” (Green Sunday), the second – “Kechal’nyj “Monday, the third – “Bogodukhiv” day.

One should be very careful on Zelena Nedilya, because on that day “mavky” (forest witches), mermaids, “potercha” (the souls of unbaptized children) and other evil forces reach the pick of their aggressiveness. Girls tell fortunes with the help of wreaths. They go to the river and put wreaths on the water; if wreaths come together the girl will marry this year. On Green Sunday people go to the graveyard to commemorate the dead relatives leaving them something to eat. Then people entertain and have fun with skomorokhs. On “klechalnyj” Monday after the Mass fields are being blessed to let the God protect them from hail and fire. Children perform amusing games, one of which “Making wreaths”. The third day is celebrated by the girls mostly. They amuse themselves playing the game “Vodyty Topolju” (Poplar): the group of girls chooses the most beautiful one and she acts the Poplar role. She is dressed with wreaths not to be recognized by anyone. The group with Poplar visits each house and the masters generously present the youth with gifts. The wells are being blessed on that as well.   

One of the most poetic summer holidays in Ukrainian national calendar is Ivana Kupala day.  This holiday used to inspire M.Gogol and many other writers and poets. The church celebrates that day John the Baptist Day. During pre-Christian period people celebrated “kupajla”holiday, dedicated to Perun (god of the sun as well as thunder and lightning). As a result Christian and Pagan traditions were united and now we celebrate one holiday - Ivana Kupala

Specially for that day the youth make Kupalo and Marena scarecrow. They are the main figures on that holiday. Marena is a woman of straw dressed in female clothes. Kupalo is a man of straw in male clothes. Girls make Marena and boys – Kupalo correspondingly. The background of these characters is unknown, but their destiny is a very tragic one. They are either drowned or burnt.

As everybody knows the main entertainment on Ivana Kupala is jumping through the fire. But why entertainment? It is nowadays when they remind sport competition, but earlier this ritual was considered to be the magic. If one jumps the highest he is sure to be healthy, if a loving couple jumps well they will get married soon.  If one cannot manage to jump over the fire - will be unhappy all year long. After funs and amusements people have a rest, but for the bravest and warm hearted, who want to get earthy values having found fern. But keep in mind: evil forces guard the way to the flower and the earthy values have never brought the good before. On Ivana Kupala it was believed that dew acquires supernatural quality to heal. One should wake up at dawn and go barefoot on the healing dew. People also gathered medicinal herbs on that day. Kupala herds have special healing power till sunset, so as they say:”An early bird catches a worm!”

Transfiguration (August 19) belongs to the twelve greatest Orthodox holidays. People call this holiday the second Spas. It is a traditional harvest holiday. That day the fruits are being blessed; apples, pears, plums and others. Apples are the most popular that is why this holiday is called sometimes “ Apple Spas”. Mothers, whose children have died and daughters left without mothers look forward to this day, because they are allowed to eat these fruits only after Spas.

Beekeepers prepare thoroughly to the holiday. They are to bless beehives, treat neighbors and especially orphans and the ill with honey. 

Faithful people used not to eat fruits till this day, it was believed to be a sin. But after a church Mass the family sat down to table and started feasting: aet apples with honey and drink grapes or apple wine – to have rich fruit harvest.   

The climate of Ukraine in the central part is quite unpredictable and the frost on the ground may appear since that day.

There is two weeks fast after Spas called “spasivka”. There is a legend narrating us that “spasivka’ continues Lent. God established nine days for Lent, but priests started begging him to shorten it, because people couldn’t bear such a long period. And God decided to divide it into two parts: seven weeks before Easter and two weeks before “Spas”. Therefore people should fast on Lent and on “spasivka” as well.  

Spas is the day to commemorate the dead relatives; believing national mythology it is the third time when the dead appear in spring- summer season: they appear on Pure Tuesday, on Green Holidays and on Spas. 

One of the mostly wide spread holidays in autumn is “Pocrova” (the Protection of the Virgin), celebrated on October,14. Judging by the legend, Saracen army in 903 attacked Byzantium and rounded up Constantinople. The city turned out to be in a crisis situation. During one of the divine services people in church prayed the Blessed Virgin for protection and she appeared and took off her cover to protect praying people and the city.  Very soon Saracen army was destroyed and now in honor of the Blessed Virgin we celebrate “Pocrava”.    

Pocrova image has always considered to be the symbol of Ukraine as it was the most honorable among kozaks- the guards of Ukrainian freedom. They used to swear to Pocrava, as the period dated from this holiday till “Pypylivka”(November, 27) is a wedding time. The girls who haven’t found their sweethearts yet pray the Blessed Virgin: “Blessed Virgin, come and cover my head”. But the Blessed Virgin is well disposed only toward neat and ward working girls, who lead healthy and moral way of life.

Wedding ceremony is one of the brightest family holidays, uniting generations and families. Ukrainian wedding used to present a great solemn drama, accompanied with music, dances, singing, and playing, gradually acquiring elements of national character. Everything started with “svatannya” (asking in marriage) when representatives of old and young generations made a marriage agreement. Asking in marriage is well described by Levasser de Boplan concerning XVII century: though grain-growers are considered to be sturdy and strong but long since were empowed to steal during a dance rich maidens even landowner’s daughters. But the robbers had to be quick and smart on order to manage to get to the next forest and stay there no less then 24 hours. Only under such conditions the courageous would be forgiven. But the girl’s agreement is obligatory in such a robbery performance. Traditional asking in marriage spread in XIX ct. was held by the ambassadors of a bridegroom and bride’s parents. Taras Shevchenko managed very briefly to describe this complicated tradition: having dated a year or two a young man sent ”starosty” (village men), respectable and knowing the ropes to the bribe’s parents. After parents’ blessing the girl tied over the shoulders of “starosty” with “rushnyk” (embroidered towel) and gave the bridegroom either bought or hand made kerchief. 

During wedding ceremony so-called wedding ranks were determined and each of them performed a particular ritual role. “Svat” (he-matchmaker) was in charge of wedding performance and “svashka”(she- matchmaker) was assisting him. She made arrangements concerning presents, bread’s cutting and bride’s covering. There were also people fulfilling episodic functions: “svitylka” – a person in charge of candles’ burning; “khoronzhuj”- guests’ attendant; “solovji” (nightingales), who were “selling” bride’s marriage portion; ”gudaky” (“veselyky”, “muzyky") were in charge of music; “koshelnyk” – a person running presents ceremony; ”korovajnyzi” were responsible for baking  “korovaj” (wedding cake); “viznyky” transported marriage portion. Other members of the wedding ceremony were called wedding guests. Getting married in church “vinchannya” was an important part of the wedding ceremony. The church introduced it in 1843 according to Synod Decree. It was supposed to be carried out the same day with wedding, but traditionally it was performed after “posad” – central acting at the wedding ceremony. The rite of braid’s unplaiting and head’s covering with kerchief used to be performed by the mother-in-law and girl friends in bride’s house; at the end of XIX ct – it was carried out either in bride’s or bridegroom’s house by girl friends, mother-in-law or sometimes by the bride herself. The bride was sat on a tub and her brother or a girl friend unplaited the braid and applied oil or honey on the bride’s hair. “Posad” rite usually was connected with covering: matchmakers covered the bride’s head with a white kerchief and a wedding wreath above.