window.StacklaGoConnectConfig.cdn : 'assetscdn.stackla.com'; Throughout the Holy Week until the blessing of the fires on Holy Saturday, the Poles are engaged in traditional Easter activities. migus-dyngus (Polish pronunciation: [migus dnus]) is a formerly pagan and now a Roman Catholic celebration held on Easter Monday across Central Europe, and in small parts of Eastern and Southern Europe.The tradition is widely associated with Poland and is observed by Polish Diaspora communities, particularly among Polish Americans who call it Dyngus Day. The last rite included a funeral banquet. In fact, Easter in Poland is arguably the most import According to the Polish folk myth from the pre-Christian Slavic tradition, the waters were inhabited with water spirits of western Poland that were called Rusalka and it was said that they were the spirits of dead young women which continued to wander around on Earth, seeking a way to draw life energy from people and other earthly living beings. The Kutia was made from hulled barley or wheat, which was cooked and sweetened with honey. Today,that population isstill dwarfed by its Catholic counterpart, but its loyal practitionerscontinue tocultivate a Pagan thriving subculture. for fair and mild spring. [Photo credit: Laszka]. 04 of 11 Today, Leszek Czarny is one of Lublins most popular heroic legends and an ever-inspiration for poets and artists. Verm, one of our interviewees, was taught folk Witchcraft by agrandmother and an aunt. Thank You in Polish? var ins = document.createElement('ins'); 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. The rules were to rise early, say your prayers earnestly and carefully, wash thoroughly, dress cleanly, and then peacefully and patiently attend to your work. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The Starosta sang a song to open up and the door was opened by the mother who stood before the stoop, sprinkling the married couple with holy water. The happy tradition includes many festivities including parades. Another custom arising from the past, was the belief that spirits pervaded the home on this day. Polish traditions through the year are full of superstitions, rituals, and holiday celebrations. These initials written with blessed chalk, along with the palms from Palm Sunday and blessed candles from Candlemas Day, were together to be a force to avert disaster. It was hung in a prominent place, such as in an entrance hall, above a chest of drawers, or above the door of the main living room as a symbol of prosperity. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; 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. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; Behind the wagon, on horseback, rode the master of ceremonies, the Starosta and the best man with a bottle of vodka who alternately offered it to the wagon driver. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. var pid = 'ca-pub-6145023705656770'; On their way to the Mass, they carefully observed the heavens. Consequently, Catholic Polish believe one must always be ready to accept an unexpected guest, never turning away anyone in need. Still, this being one of the most important celebrations of Christianity as well as one of the most anticipated of Polish spring traditions, it is loved and celebrated both by . Fortunately, in Poland there were no such cases as in the Ukraine, where the statues were destroyed on Wodzimierzowe Wzgrze/Starokijewska Gra., Rogalinksi said that, while there are aggressive speeches of clergy condemning minority faiths, it is not generally talked about by others. All Saints All Souls Day, November 1st and 2nd Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To make up for this, someone was always invited to make up the deficiency, be it honored guest or wandering beggar. From the PGST News Vol. Boze Narodzenia, Christmas Day, was considered so important a holiday that menial work of any kind was not even thought of. 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! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Unfortunately my die-hard rabid Catholic Polish grandmother put a stop to it calling it blasphemous, so, unfortunately, I didnt learn anything, which I regret to this day. People believed that the water female spirits actually missed the human world which they once knew so they wanted to share company with men by encountering them and asking bread, salt, or onions from them. The Legend of King Boleslaw and his Knights, 3. First to be placed on the tables were bottles of vodka and beer, and the wedding banquet began with Zapicie, i.e., to wash down or to drink. On the same Saturday, in another Vistula-based city, the celebrations focus on music, with multiple stages and artists presenting different music genres. Slavic mythology has different versions of this story and some of them describe the Rusalkas as spirits of dead brides who died of unfortunate events or young womens souls who suffered a violent death, so now they revenge on men that they encounter near the lake where they live. Candlemas in the term when we have Weles festival, Saint Johns festival on Kupaa, etc.). At the time, hungry Polish would use a thick slice of bread as a plate and then eat it. Easter observances in Poland actually begin on Ash Wednesday, when kocanki or bazie are cut and placed in water. Most of us live in safe environment with loving families and thoughtful friends, being quite anonymous while living in the big cities, organizing largely through social media. When he came back to the village, no one recognized him and he went back to his castle. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". On this special day, young men leaped over bonfires while ladies made wreaths of herbs and cast them to float down the river. The flower had magical powers that made dream come true as long as he didnt share his good fortune. ins.dataset.adClient = pid; 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. 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. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. 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. My mistake. They are symbols of hospitality and conjugal harmony. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Traditionally, this dance was literally the first. On the Polish Easter table there is also a great number of cakes made in special shapes tall iced babki, flat and thin kolacze, and the most delicious mazurki flavored with lemon and dried fruit. The candles were to symbolize the eternal light for which the soul yearns . The younger brother was killed by the older one, Lech, who lied that dragons devoured his brother. Family picnic on St Johns Day, fireworks display and concerts. 2014 - 2023Grupa MBE sp. Why? The entire procession stopped at the gate leading to the manor house, its members continuing to sing until the owner emerged. Laszka shared a narrative that is common in other parts of the worldwhereChristian traditions draw upon Pagan practices. In Poland, fortune telling sets the mood for this evening of merriment which might be the theme for an autumn social gathering. Eggs were once a part of Polish pagan tradition and still symbolize spring, renewal, fertility, and eternity. 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. var ffid = 2; This is Easter Monday, and it is due to an ancient custom which is still observed both in villages and cities. var ins = document.createElement('ins'); Dyngus began somewhat around five in the morning, and the custom demanded that the house where the women slept be secretly invaded. He first encountered the tradition in 1978, before it had acquired the standardized name. The smoke from the candles on the tree, lit by the Gospodarz, (head of the family) foretold the future. The oldest form of Christmas caroling in Poland was with the Turon. Lacking reliable resources for many Pagan paths on paper or online, the alternative seeking a teacher in person can also be difficult, due to the low density of Pagans overall. The Bible Another explanation is rooted in the New Testament. In customs that can be documented back to the sixteenth century, the young couple was most often greeted at the entrance of the house with bread and salt. Another issue with the small number of Pagans is that they tend to know each other, like residents of a small town, which is fine, until it isnt. All rights reserved. Still, the client base has not grown large enough to support many such businesses yet; online shops fill that gap, especially for Pagans who dont live in the larger cities. One of them carried a large homemade star on a long pole that was lit from within by a candle, so that it could be seen in the dark of night. Verm also is familiar with cases in which being public didnt serve the individual well, highlighting a difference between the urban and rural experience. It is said that if Poland ever needs them again, they will rise and serve their beloved country and nation. Sorrowful God - The Sorrowful God is depicted in pre-history sculpture sitting with his head in his hand, peaceful and contemplative. He enjoyed his life as a rich man but soon became nostalgic and wished to go back to his home village. And the more they are annoyed, the more we dump water on them calling, Dyngus Smigus! The symbol of Dozynki was a Wieniec, [harvest wreath] which was presented to the landowner. Nowadays, Polish Easter traditions vary from household to household, just like they differ a bit when compared to different times in history. One celebrates an Obiat (a feast) in memory of the deceased. This is consistent with my personal history. It is a delightful tradition, Dyngus or Smigus as this custom is called. It is believed that the brave kings life ended in the mountain Giewont which forms a great part of the Tatra mountains and that if one looks at it from far, they will see the head of the King and his knights. This day became known for generations to come as the holiday which strengthened family ties. He encouraged him to carry on with his pursuit and told him that he will soon celebrate his victory. She was often given a handsome reward consisting of either money or some gift. Later, these pagan customs were Christianized and people were encouraged to pray and light candles instead of conjuring up spirits. Along with the practice of Wicca and Rodzimowierstwo, age-old folk magic traditions continue to be practiced in Poland. Manage Settings POLAND This European Union member state is a bastion of Roman Catholicism, with as many as 37 million adherents (87.5% of the total population) today. Today, All Saints All Souls Day is celebrated in a very solemn manner in Poland. Palm Sunday in Poland Polish mythology is mainly associated with distinctive and vivid demonology full of monstrous creatures, witches, evil spirits, and werewolves. The Obra Water Monster is a creature related to a folk tale similar to the one of the famous Loch Ness monster from Scotland. "It's how it sounds," I'd say. It is a Polish tradition to offer the birthday boy or girl 100 years of good wishes, good health and long life. 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. The myth about the Polish Eagle is one of the most recognized in Poland since this bird is the symbol of the Polish Republic and it is also a focal element in the Polish crest and the Polish coat of arms. (eiderdown)! he has come! St. Nicholas entered, filling the room with not only his presence, but with his smile, the twinkle in his eye and his teasing booming voice. When there is sickness in the household, the herbs are brewed and used for medicinal purposes, not only for the people, but for the livestock as well. In old Poland, it was so significant that only after the Oczepiny, and not the church ceremony, that the man exercised his marriage privileges towards his new wife. In case of a serious threat or catastrophe in the mine, the Treasurer shows up to warn the miners by flickering a lamp, appearing in front of them, or hitting the ground strong enough so they could hear him. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; Czech went westward, Rus to the east while Lech went north. Eggs are blessed. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'adsensetype', 1); Siliniez - A wood god from Poland who moss was sacred; his altar fire was kept burning only with moss. This ceremony is a reminder of the humility with which Christ washed the feet of his disciples. The main event on the night of engagement was the tying together of the hands of the couple to be married. After obtaining permission to enter the house, the boys sang both religious and popular Christmas carols. Tradition dictates that this be a meatless dinner, that there should be an uneven number of dishes served. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. People bless the eggs on Easter, they decorate the table with green, they have a Christmas tree, they eat the meals that are traditionally connected with Winter Solstice, they hang mistletoe, they celebrate Pagan Dziady (the festival connected to death) and they have to add some invented holidays (e.g. The Easter table will be covered with a white tablecloth. If the day was fair but it rained or snowed during the night, then it foretold that the first half of the month would be fair but the second half would be damp. There is one day in the year when the consumption of water in Poland shoots up. There are some clashes, but it is more connected to political rather than religious reasons. ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; The wedding is one of the most important family celebrations. Usually several horse wagons with stately horses and guests dressed in their Sunday best with bouquets of flowers pinned to their heads, followed them. :178).Particularly important is the Christmas Eve supper, probably the only . The Poles called it the Shepherd Mass, because the shepherds were first to greet the new born Christ. Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. What do Polish cities have in store this year? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. According to folklorists' research and findings, Slavic folklore contains a great number of spells, charms., incantations, practical rituals for love, relationships, work, fertility, protection, healing, divination, communicating with old spirits and ancestors, averting the evil eye and many others. }(document)); This website uses cookies. Szopka was a portable crib or manger scene carried by young boys from house to house. Polish Easter customs have not changed much during the centuries. The Warsaw Mermaid is also a renowned symbol of Warsaw and her figure is part of the Polish capitals coat of arms. Very often, those people have problems with finding or maintaining their jobs. Another traditional pastime is for the girls to toss their shoes to the middle of the floor. Sleepy husbands and wives arise and give them a gift of eggs. Next, Sir Twardowski had to face the devil and his inevitable tragic fate. According to the legend, the brothers Lech, Czech, and Rus were hunting together when each of them headed to a different direction where they would later settle and establish their tribe. His name is celebrated more in some Central European countries than is Christmas itself. Terence P Ward is a moneyworker, journalist, Hellenic polytheist and convinced Friend who lives in the bucolic Hudson Valley with his wife, five cats, and multiple household shrines. We have been struggling for it for ages (our judiciary system is very slow and the case may even require the changing of the law).. The citys name was, of course, Warsaw. The white tablecloth is indicative of the white swaddling cloth with which Our Lord was wrapped when he was placed in the Holy Sepulcher. Reportedly, the pact contained a stipulation that said that the soul of Twardowski can be collected exclusively in Rome. The schedules also includes making flower wreaths and then floating the crowns on the Oder river, so make sure to attend if you want to feel like a real Slav! The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content. ins.dataset.adChannel = cid; St. Stephans Day marked the end of work contracts for the year; new bargains were struck for the upcoming year. And many customs take from Polish pagan traditions. The young people break the solemnity of Easter by a burst of frivolity. The resin in the wood keeps the fire aglow and people keep waving these wooden torches in the wind to keep the fire intact until they get home. In modern Poland, wianki is an event most commonly organised by city councils in major Polish agglomerations. Polish are very proud of the traditional hospitality they may extend to a stranger who turns up at their door on Christmas eve (unlikely to happen, but not impossible). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. On the last night of the wedding, the most important wedding custom of all took place. Although Poles have some very ancient traditions reaching back to their pre-Christian roots, not many of them have survived up to these times. Because the majority of Poland's population identifies as Catholic, it follows the Western church calendar in its celebrations, and Christian symbolism is strong in the observance of this holiday. 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. They just needed something to be at the same time of the year, because of the fact that Pagan festivals and traditions were preserved even despite the Christianisation. It was believed that salt had the power to heal and cleanse, uncover thieves, protect houses against fire, dispel storms and hail, and drive away evil spirits. Near this settlement was the castle Wawel Hill where King Krakus ruled. lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId + '-asloaded'), { attributes: true }); .box-3-multi-110{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;}. Among the many demons in Polish folklore, there is a benevolent character called Skarbnik who is a friendly mythological figure. Desserts really steal the show on Easter and often consist of cakes such as babka, mazurek, sernik (cheesecake) and more! In Poland, no-one would dream of wishing their friend a good year on their birthday. Wed love to hear how you embraced the myriad of Polish customs you encountered on your last visit. Jaselka is the general name given to the two forms of Christmas caroling called Szopka and Herody. var cdn = window.StacklaGoConnectConfig ? It wasn't as bad as another kid in my elementary school classMichael . container.style.maxWidth = container.style.minWidth + 'px'; In every house, from the richest to the poorest, the table is spread with food that is blessed on Holy Saturday.
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