Kolyada (holiday): history and traditions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Most people nowadays believe that Christmas and Kolyada are inextricably linked. In fact, since pagan times, when Christianity was not even accepted in Russia, and people believed in different gods, there already existed such a tradition as Kolyada. This holiday was dedicated to the heavenly god Dazhdbog.

Ancient people believed that after the winter solstice, the sky god wakes up, and the length of the day begins to increase, and the nights decrease. Our ancestors were grateful to Dazhdbog and began to praise him with the help of ritual songs - carols.

Since those times, many customs have been forgotten and changed, but we still adhere to many traditions, although in a slightly different form.

The essence of the holiday

Kolyada is a holiday of the Slavs, the popular name for Christmas and Christmas time, which continues today from January 7 to January 19 (Epiphany).

The main purpose of Kolyada is to conduct rituals dedicated to Christmas Eve. The main traditions that have been preserved to one degree or another in our time are:

– putting onvarious outfits, in particular those made from animal skins and horns, the use of masks;

– caroling, singing carol songs;

– giving thanks to carolers and giving them sweets, food, coins and other things;

– youth games;

– fortune-telling of unmarried girls.

Kolyada is a holiday that has been the biggest and most important in the winter since the time of the pagans, just like Christmas is now for all Christians.

When Kolyada is celebrated

Kolyada - a holiday of the Slavs, the date from which Christmas time began (December 25 - the day of the winter solstice), and they continued until January 6. Thus, even before the adoption of Christianity, the people performed the rites of Kolyada, praising the god of heaven - Dazhdbog.

On what date was the Kolyada holiday celebrated after the adoption of Christianity? Pagan celebrations merged with the birthday of Jesus Christ, and Christmas time was already celebrated from December 6 to 19, that is, from Christmas to Epiphany. These Christmas traditions have survived to this day.

Relationship between Solstice and Kolyada

The Kolyada holiday was celebrated in honor of the rebirth of the sun on the day of the winter solstice. On December 25, people did not just celebrate the New Year - they believed that on this day a new star and agricultural activity were born.

A. S. Famintsyn, in a book en titled "Deities of the Ancient Slavs", written in 1884, indicated that in ancient writings there are references to two gods - Kupala (the god of summersolstice) and Kolyada (god of the winter solstice).

A. N. Afanasyev in his writing "Poetic Views of the Slavs on Nature" mentioned that the sun was the personification of a happy and divine life. The solar deity was considered the brightest, kindest and most merciful; by what induces all living organisms to life, gives food and help to people.

It was believed that the luminary was inextricably linked with fate, so a person asked for his help when he was pursued by difficulties and failures. Also, the sun had to resist evil, darkness and cold.

Thus, the Slavic holiday of Kolyada and the performance of carols are rituals dedicated to the god of the sun, which show the special relationship of our ancestors to the luminary.

Interpretation of the name of the holiday

Kolyada is a pagan holiday, and its name has its roots in ancient times.

One of the versions of the origin of the word "Kolyada" says that it came from "kolo" - "sun". It protected people from darkness, and on December 25, a new and young luminary was born, which helped increase the daylight hours and reduce the night.

Dmitry Shchepkin had a different opinion, and it is that the word "Kolyada" means "circular food or circular dishes", "going around". This can be explained by the fact that companies of carolers walked with a nativity scene in all courtyards, danced and sang carols, they were rewarded for this with gifts, and after that they all ate the food they caroled together.

In addition, there are opinions that "Kolyada" comes from the words:

- “deck” - a lit stump;

- "kolo" - round,wheel;

- from the Latin word "calenda", i.e. "first day of the month".

In the etymological dictionary, the meaning of the word is explained as “a custom that is associated with the beginning of the year”, which is typical even for pre-Christian times, and after the adoption of Christianity, the Slavic holiday Kolyada was attached to the birthday of Jesus Christ.

According to the ethnolinguistic dictionary (Slavic antiquities), the word has pagan roots. And Strakhov claims that there is nothing Proto-Slavic and pagan in Kolyada at all, and this term was adopted as an expression of the clergy (literally: “gifts or offerings that were collected by the clergy” or “maintenance for the New Year”).

How did you prepare for the Kolyada holiday?

Kolyada is a holiday that was the biggest and most important for the people. Based on this, it can be argued that they prepared for it in advance and carefully. Ordinary people (even from the poorest families):

– prepared a large number of dishes, in particular with meat, and for this they pricked a pig;

– thoroughly cleaned throughout the house;

– well steamed in the bath;

– prepared new outfits, in particular for caroling.

One thing has remained the same: since ancient times, and now we strive to meet the New Year holidays cleansed both physically and spiritually.

How has Kolyada been celebrated since ancient times?

Most ethnographers agree that even in pre-Christian times there was such a custom as Kolyada. The history of the holiday is interesting and fascinating, many traditions and rituals have been preserved untilof our time, but some have become obsolete and have been changed.

Celebrations and rituals of Kolyada were held in the following order:

1. The first part of the celebration consisted in the fact that a large number of people came to pagan temples (temples) to perform the ritual of sacrifice and communicate with the gods, to become closer to them.

As the legends say, the people gathered near the rivers, in the forests, near the fire and thanked and praised their gods, asked for repentance and future blessings. At the same time, their faces were decorated, wearing masks, wearing skins and other outfits, holding spears, shields and animal horns in their hands, making sacrifices and fortune telling.

For the ritual of sacrifice and divination, a sorcerer was needed - a person who provided a connection with the gods. In the family, this role was performed by the eldest man. Before divination, they usually performed sacrifices with birds or animals. In this case, the blood was spilled and sprinkled around to drive away evil spirits. Parts of the animal not intended for food were buried in the ground, burned in a fire or drowned in a river.

The elders killed a pet, making requests to the gods. At this time, young girls and boys both guessed and sang carols that praised Kolyada, the god of the young Sun.

2. The second part of the Kolyada was dedicated to the general meal. People ate the food that was sacrificed and drank in turn from the cup, which was passed around. At the same time, carols were sung, they praised the gods Navi and Prav and asked for help for good people.

3. In the third part of the celebration there were so-called "games": peopleperformed various songs, danced to Slavic folk instruments.

The holiday of Kolyada (Solstice) had its own customs and features the next day:

– At first, several children went caroling. They took 2 pies with them, which they shared equally among everyone and ate after singing carols.

– Afterwards, young girls (future brides) walked and sang ritual songs. We gave them all a few rolls and gingerbread.

– At the end, all women and men go caroling, they were also given kalachi and gingerbread.

Scenario of Kolyada holiday

And how is the holiday celebrated today? Kolyada takes place in a whirlwind of ritual festivities. The scenario was and remains the following, despite the additions and changes that are made by different peoples:

1. On Christmas Eve (January 6), people did not eat anything until late in the evening. But as soon as the first star appeared in the sky, they sat down with the whole family to have dinner. There should be 12 dishes on the table this evening, of which kutia and dried fruit (apples and pears) are obligatory, as well as hearty meat dishes (pancakes, cabbage rolls, dumplings, homemade sausage).

For a long time our ancestors had a custom to put hay under the tablecloth, which was supposed to lie there until January 14 - Schedretsa.

2. The next morning, January 7, is the biggest winter holiday of the Nativity of Christ. On this special day, it is customary to go to the godchildren and give them gifts.

After dinner, young girls and boys dress up as different animals and gypsies and in groups of 10-15 people go withcarols. One of the company of carolers should dress up as a goat. In some regions (in particular, in Western Ukraine) it is customary to walk with a large homemade star. Carolers sing songs glorifying the earth, with requests for a good future, dance and have fun. For this, the owners generously thank them and give them various goodies and money.

It was believed that if the owners did not unlock the door to carolers, then this could invite trouble on the family and poverty.

3. The next after the Nativity of Christ was the day of St. Stepan. It was on this day that the owner had to fully pay off his workers, and they, in turn, could express everything that had accumulated over the past year. Then they decided whether to conclude a new agreement to continue cooperation or disperse.

City residents celebrated this Slavic holiday (Kolyada) a little differently. His script was as follows:

– holding a festive program and festivities in the park and in the city center;

– organization of the fair;

- ball and dances (arranged for we althy citizens).

Children, like today, could enjoy the Christmas tree, gifts, go to performances and dance programs.

4. Shchedrets was also merrily celebrated on January 14th. On this day, they not only sang and danced, but also chose the most beautiful girl in the village. She was dressed up, put on a wreath, ribbons, she led a team of beauties who walked around the yards and were generous. On this day, the hosts tried as best as possible and bestow gifts on the generous, so that the coming year would be successful and rich.

Kutya's place during Christmas carols

The ancient Slavs did not pass the Kolyada holiday without kutya. There were 3 special holy evenings, for each of which they prepared ritual porridge, and different ones:

1. Lenten with nuts, dried fruits, poppy seeds and uzvar was prepared on the first Christmas eve - January 6th. Such porridge was called the great kutya.

2. On January 13 - on the eve of the New Year according to the old style - they prepared the second kutya, which was called rich or generous. On this day, all sorts of rather hearty dishes were served on the table, and even porridge was seasoned with fat, lard, butter and koromina.

3. The third kutia - on the eve of Epiphany on January 18 - was called hungry and, like the first, lenten, cooked in water. There was a tradition that the head of the family would go outside that evening and draw crosses on all gates, gates and doors to protect the inhabitants of the house and family from evil spirits, troubles and bad weather.

The Kolyada holiday in Russia during the Soviet era was practically not celebrated, but in the 60s Slavic traditions slowly began to revive, and in the 90s they began to return to Russian families in full swing. Today caroling is performed on the Holy Evening - from January 6 to 7, while many customs are returning: children and young people dress up in holiday clothes, take a star with them, and learn ritual songs. The hosts, in turn, try to generously thank the carolers so that the year will be successful and prosperous.

The place of divination during the holidays of Kolyada

Divination on holidaysCarols occupied a special place, they were usually performed from the evening on the eve of the Nativity of Christ until January 14 (New Year's Eve according to the old style). It was believed that it was on these days that girls could find out their fate and reveal the secret of the future, see the groom and even predict the date of the wedding. There were many rituals. The most popular of them are the following:

1. The girl had to go out into the yard and throw the boot from her left foot over the fence. Then see how he fell. If the toe is towards the house, then this year she will not marry, if in the opposite direction, then they looked in which direction the boot points - they say, from there you need to wait for the betrothed.

2. They took 2 needles, smeared them with fat or lard and lowered them into water. If they drowned immediately, then an unsuccessful year was foretold, and if they remained afloat, and even joined, then it was worth waiting for a rich year and a quick marriage.

3. They also guessed on the log. A young girl from a woodshed was blindly pulling out one stump and carefully examining it. If he was rough, then the betrothed will be with an unsightly appearance, if smooth and even, then the future husband will be handsome and stately. A lot of knots on the stump indicated that the guy would be from a family with many sisters and brothers. If a crooked and twisted log came across, then the groom will be with external defects (curve, pockmarked, etc.)

4. Divination on the rings. It consisted in the fact that any cereal or rye, wheat was poured into the sieve, 4 types of rings were placed here: metal, silver, with a pebble and gold, and all this was well mixed. For this fortune-telling was goinga company of unmarried girls, each of whom scooped up one handful of contents:

- if only grain came across, then this year the girl will not marry at all;

– if a simple metal ring, then she will marry a poor guy;

– if the ring is silver, then the groom will be simple;

- a ring with a pebble predicted family life with a boyar;

– a golden ring is a sign that a girl will marry a merchant.

5. There is also such a fortune-telling for which you need to take a bowl and fill it with grain, prepare pieces of paper, on one of which write the cherished name of the betrothed, leave the rest empty. Take handfuls of grain and see how many times the desired leaf will fall:

- if from the first, then the girl should wait for an early matchmaking;

- from the second - it means you will have to face some difficulties;

- from the third - the young one is deceiving you, it is better not to believe his words;

- from the fourth - the guy is completely indifferent to you.

Young girls also guessed:

– at midnight in the bathhouse;

- with a mirror, expecting to see the betrothed in it;

– on water and candles.

One of the main traditions was the rolling of the wheel. To do this, a large wooden circle in the form of a wheel was set on fire and rolled up and down the mountain. Here you can clearly see the connection between Slavic traditions and the rites of Kolyada, because the burning wheel, of course, symbolized the sun, and by rolling it uphill, they helped add daylight.

History of caroling

Carols were usually sung not in the house, but right under the windows. Young girls asked permission to enter and then they sang "grapes", which is widespread in the North. Here, carolers were presented not with cakes or sweets, but with ritual cookies in the form of animals and birds. Such shortbreads were made from long-lasting dough, they were valuable and expensive for every family, because they kept them throughout the year so that household utensils would not get lost on the way home and multiply. They made such cookies before, but with the image of symbols that were turned to the gods (the sign of the Family or the Sun).

The rite of caroling was carried out throughout the week, starting from December 25 (Christmas according to the Julian calendar). The main attributes of such a procession were:

1. Star. They made it from strong paper - large, the size of an arshin (about 0.7 meters) - and lit it with a candle. The star was eight-pointed, painted with bright colors.

2. Nativity scene. It was made from a box with two tiers, which contained wooden figures depicting the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Under the windows, carolers performed short prayer chants, and only one of the group, with the permission of the owner, could enter the house and receive treats and small money.

Kolyada is a holiday during which in large villages of Russia 5-10 groups with a star could visit one courtyard, and the owners tried to generously bestow each of them.

Pagan roots of the holiday

So, what is Kolyada? The essence of the holidayboils down to the following: this is a list of ancient Slavic rites that glorify and praise the pagan god of the young sun. According to many sources, Kolyada was still the god of merry feasts.

The main version of the origin of the holiday is that the luminary was praised on the day of the winter solstice. There was even a legend about this. The serpent Korotun devoured the Sun, and the goddess Kolyada helped people and gave birth to a new, young luminary - Bozhich. People try to help the goddess and protect the newborn from the snake through singing and loud shouting, dressing up in scary costumes made from animal skins and using horns. With carols, young people go around all the courtyards to announce that a new young sun has been born.

After the adoption of Christianity, the church in every possible way forbade the customs of caroling and worship of the gods, but it was not possible to completely eradicate the ancient traditions and rituals. Therefore, clergymen and believers began to walk around the courtyards, announcing that Jesus Christ was born and praising him. These customs have survived to our time. Although the owners often did not give gifts to such performers of carols, on the contrary, they tried to avoid them. In Polissya, believing carolers were not allowed to go home, as it was believed that millet would not be fruitful, and those who caroled according to the old custom were generously rewarded and thanked.