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{{main|Serbian traditions}} |
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[[File:MCB-icon12.jpg|thumb|250px|An [[icon]] representing the [[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity of Jesus Christ]].]] |
[[File:MCB-icon12.jpg|thumb|250px|An [[icon]] representing the [[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity of Jesus Christ]].]] |
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'''Serbian Christmas traditions''' are customs and practices of the [[Serbs]] associated with [[Christmas]] and a period encompassing it, between the third Sunday before |
'''Serbian Christmas traditions''' are customs and practices of the [[Serbs]] associated with [[Christmas]] and a period encompassing it, between the third Sunday before Christmas Day and [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]. There are many, complex traditions connected with this period. They vary from place to place, and in many areas have been updated or watered down to suit modern living. The [[Serbian language|Serbian]] name for Christmas is ''Božić'' ([[Serbian Cyrillic alphabet|Serbian Cyrillic]]: Божић, {{IPA-sh|ˈbɔ̌ʒitɕ|pron}}), which is the [[diminutive|diminutive form]] of the word ''bog'' ("god"), and can be translated as "young god". Christmas is celebrated for three consecutive days, starting with Christmas Day, which the Serbs call the first day of Christmas.<ref group=note>Christmas Day does not fall on the same day for the Serbs as for [[Western Christianity|Western Christians]], although they celebrate it on the same date—25 December. This is because the [[Serbian Orthodox Church]] uses the [[Julian calendar]] rather than the [[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian]] one used in the West. Since 1900, the Julian calendar is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, and will remain so until the year 2100. During this period, 25 December in the Julian calendar—Christmas Day for the Serbs—corresponds to 7 January of the following year in the Gregorian calendar.</ref> On these days, one is to greet another person by saying "Christ is Born," which should be responded to with "Truly He is Born," or in Serbian: "''Hristos se rodi''" {{IPA-sh|ˈxristɔs sɛ ˈrɔdi|}} – "''Vaistinu se rodi''" {{IPA-sh|ˈʋaistinu sɛ ˈrɔdi|}}. |
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==Christmas Eve== |
==Christmas Eve== |
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| isbn = 86-331-1946-3}}</ref> When the log has burnt through, some families let the fire go out, while in others the men keep watch in shifts during the night to keep the badnjak burning.<ref name=v81/> |
| isbn = 86-331-1946-3}}</ref> When the log has burnt through, some families let the fire go out, while in others the men keep watch in shifts during the night to keep the badnjak burning.<ref name=v81/> |
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[[File:Badnjak-Beograd.jpg|thumb|right|300px| |
[[File:Badnjak-Beograd.jpg|thumb|right|300px|An [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] priest places the badnjak on the fire during [[Christmas Eve]] celebration at the [[Cathedral of Saint Sava]] in [[Belgrade]].]] |
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Another type of the badnjak that has developed among the Serbs has mostly replaced the traditional log, whose burning is usually unfeasible in modern homes. It is a cluster of oak twigs with their brown leaves still attached, with which the home is decorated on the Eve. This cluster is also called the badnjak, and it is usually kept in the home until next Christmas Eve. For the convenience of those living in towns and cities, such little badnjaks can be bought at marketplaces or distributed in churches. In a common arrangement, the cluster of oak twigs is bound together with twigs of [[European Cornel]] and several stalks of straw.<ref name=v81/> |
Another type of the badnjak that has developed among the Serbs has mostly replaced the traditional log, whose burning is usually unfeasible in modern homes. It is a cluster of oak twigs with their brown leaves still attached, with which the home is decorated on the Eve. This cluster is also called the badnjak, and it is usually kept in the home until next Christmas Eve. For the convenience of those living in towns and cities, such little badnjaks can be bought at marketplaces or distributed in churches. In a common arrangement, the cluster of oak twigs is bound together with twigs of [[European Cornel]] and several stalks of straw.<ref name=v81/> |
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Before the table is served, it is strewn with a thin layer of straw and covered with a white cloth. The family members sit down at the table. Prior to tucking in, they all rise and a man or boy among them says a prayer, or they together sing the [[Troparion]] of the Nativity in [[Church Slavonic language]]:<ref name=spc>{{cite web |
Before the table is served, it is strewn with a thin layer of straw and covered with a white cloth. The family members sit down at the table. Prior to tucking in, they all rise and a man or boy among them says a prayer, or they together sing the [[Troparion]] of the Nativity in [[Church Slavonic language]]:<ref name=spc>{{cite web |
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| script-title |
| script-title=sr:Божићни празници и обичаји |
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| publisher = spcportal.org |
| publisher = spcportal.org |
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| language = sr |
| language = sr |
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| url = http://www.spcportal.org/index.php?pg=647&lang=sr |
| url = http://www.spcportal.org/index.php?pg=647&lang=sr |
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| access-date = 2008-12-08 |
| access-date = 2008-12-08}}</ref> |
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| archive-date = 2011-10-05 |
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| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005104931/http://www.spcportal.org/index.php?pg=647&lang=sr |
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| url-status = dead |
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}}</ref> |
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Christmas Eve being a [[Eastern Orthodox Church#Fasting|fast day]], the dinner is prepared in accordance with that, but it is copious and diverse in foods. Besides a round [[Leavening agent|unleavened]] loaf of bread called ''badnjački kolač'', and salt, which are necessary, this meal may comprise roast fish, cooked beans, [[sauerkraut]], noodles with ground walnuts, honey, and wine.<ref>{{cite web |
Christmas Eve being a [[Eastern Orthodox Church#Fasting|fast day]], the dinner is prepared in accordance with that, but it is copious and diverse in foods. Besides a round [[Leavening agent|unleavened]] loaf of bread called ''badnjački kolač'', and salt, which are necessary, this meal may comprise roast fish, cooked beans, [[sauerkraut]], noodles with ground walnuts, honey, and wine.<ref>{{cite web |
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| script-title |
| script-title=sr:Трпеза за Бадње вече |
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| publisher = [[Krstarica]] |
| publisher = [[Krstarica]] |
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| language = sr |
| language = sr |
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| work = Кувар |
| work = Кувар |
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| url = http://kuvar.krstarica.com/c/izdvajamo/svecanosti/trpeza-za-badnje-vece |
| url = http://kuvar.krstarica.com/c/izdvajamo/svecanosti/trpeza-za-badnje-vece |
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| ⚫ | | access-date = 2008-12-08}}</ref> It used to be served in some villages on a sack filled with straw, with the family seated around it on the floor.<ref name=v81/> In the north [[Dalmatia]]n region of [[Bukovica]], a part of food that remained after the dinner used to be put on a potsherd, and taken to the rubbish heap.<ref name=border group=note/> Wolf was there invited for dinner, "My dear wolf, do not slaughter my sheep, here you are [[Groat (grain)|groat]]s! Here you are yours, and leave mine alone!"<ref name=ardalic>{{cite web |
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| access-date = 2008-12-08 |
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| archive-date = 2007-10-21 |
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| archive-url = https://archive.today/20071021082118/http://kuvar.krstarica.com/c/izdvajamo/svecanosti/trpeza-za-badnje-vece |
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| url-status = dead |
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| ⚫ |
}}</ref> It used to be served in some villages on a sack filled with straw, with the family seated around it on the floor.<ref name=v81/> In the north [[Dalmatia]]n region of [[ |
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| last = Ardalić |
| last = Ardalić |
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| first = Vladimir |
| first = Vladimir |
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| first = Mirjana |
| first = Mirjana |
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| year = 2006 |
| year = 2006 |
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| script-title |
| script-title=sr:Божићни обичаји Срба у Темишвару |
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| journal = Glasnik Etnografskog instituta SANU |
| journal = Glasnik Etnografskog instituta SANU |
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| volume = 54 |
| volume = 54 |
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| location = Belgrade |
| location = Belgrade |
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| language = sr |
| language = sr |
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| url = http://www.etno-institut.co.rs/GEI/GEI_LIV/mira.pdf |
| url = http://www.etno-institut.co.rs/GEI/GEI_LIV/mira.pdf}}</ref> |
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| access-date = 2009-04-04 |
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| archive-date = 2012-02-22 |
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| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222153512/http://www.etno-institut.co.rs/GEI/GEI_LIV/mira.pdf |
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| url-status = dead |
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}}</ref> |
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In central Serbia, once the household members have gone to bed, an elderly woman of the family sticks a knife into the house door from the inside. Alternatively, she puts a [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]] stake by the door, hanging a wreath of [[garlic]] on it. This is done as a protection against [[curse]]s, [[Witchcraft|witch]]es, and [[demon]]s. For the same reason, children are rubbed with garlic on the palms, armpits, and soles before going to bed. In some regions, the men keep watch in shifts by the fireplace during the night, to keep the fire burning.<ref name=v81/><ref name=k/> |
In central Serbia, once the household members have gone to bed, an elderly woman of the family sticks a knife into the house door from the inside. Alternatively, she puts a [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]] stake by the door, hanging a wreath of [[garlic]] on it. This is done as a protection against [[curse]]s, [[Witchcraft|witch]]es, and [[demon]]s. For the same reason, children are rubbed with garlic on the palms, armpits, and soles before going to bed. In some regions, the men keep watch in shifts by the fireplace during the night, to keep the fire burning.<ref name=v81/><ref name=k/> |
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===''Polažajnik''=== |
===''Polažajnik''=== |
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| ⚫ | A ''polažajnik'', ''položajnik'', ''polaženik'', ''polaznik'', or ''radovan'', is the first person who visits the family on Christmas Day. This visit may be fortuitous or pre-arranged. People expect that it will summon prosperity and well-being for their household in the ensuing year. A family often picks in advance a man or boy, and arranges that he visit them on Christmas morning. If this proves to be lucky for the family, he is invited again next year to be the ''polažajnik''. If not, they send word to him not to come any more in that capacity.<ref name=miles/><ref name=k/><ref name=v87/> |
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{{main|Polaznik{{!}}Polažajnik}} |
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| ⚫ |
A '' |
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A ''polažajnik'' steps into the house with his right foot first, greeting the gathered family, "Christ is Born, Happy Christmas." He carries grain in his glove, which he shakes out before the threshold, or throws at the family members. They respond with "Truly He is Born," and throw grain at the ''polažajnik''.<ref name=miles/> He then approaches the fireplace, takes a poker or a branch, and strikes repeatedly the burning ''badnjak'' to make sparks fly from it. At the same time he utters these words (or similar):<ref name=v87/> |
A ''polažajnik'' steps into the house with his right foot first, greeting the gathered family, "Christ is Born, Happy Christmas." He carries grain in his glove, which he shakes out before the threshold, or throws at the family members. They respond with "Truly He is Born," and throw grain at the ''polažajnik''.<ref name=miles/> He then approaches the fireplace, takes a poker or a branch, and strikes repeatedly the burning ''badnjak'' to make sparks fly from it. At the same time he utters these words (or similar):<ref name=v87/> |
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Having said that, he moves the log a little forward and throws a coin into the fire. The woman of the house puts a woolen blanket on the ''polaznik'''s back, and seats him on a low stool by the fireplace. At the moment when he sits down, they try to pull away the stool beneath him, as if to make him fall on the floor. |
Having said that, he moves the log a little forward and throws a coin into the fire. The woman of the house puts a woolen blanket on the ''polaznik'''s back, and seats him on a low stool by the fireplace. At the moment when he sits down, they try to pull away the stool beneath him, as if to make him fall on the floor. The ''polaznik'' goes out into the yard, and throws grain inside a circle made with the rope with which Christmas straw has been tied, calling chickens. When they gather in the circle he catches a rooster, whose head is then cut off by him or the head of household on the house's threshold. The rooster will be roasted on a wooden spit as part of Christmas dinner. The ''polaznik'' usually stays for dinner with the family. He receives a gift in the form of a round cake with an embedded coin, and a towel, shirt, socks, or some other useful thing.<ref name=v87/> |
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A custom to use a domestic animal as a ''polaznik'' was kept in some regions until the first half of the 20th century. A sheep, ox, swine, or calf was led into the house on Christmas morning.<ref name=v87/> In the west Serbian region of Rađevina, centered on the town of [[Krupanj]], the head of household would place a sheep between himself and the fireplace, and pronounce the aforementioned words while striking the ''badnjak'' with a branch cut from it.<ref name=djurdjev/> In the region of [[Bihor, Montenegro|Bihor]], north-eastern [[Montenegro]], a round loaf of bread with a hole in its center was prepared; four grooves were impressed into its surface along two mutually perpendicular diameters of the loaf. After an ox was led into the house, the loaf was put on his horn, and some grain was thrown on the ox. Yanking his head, the ox would throw off the loaf; having fallen down, the loaf would break into four pieces along the grooves. The pieces were picked up and distributed among the family members. This custom was preserved up to the 1950s even in some Muslim families of the region.<ref>{{Cite book |
A custom to use a domestic animal as a ''polaznik'' was kept in some regions until the first half of the 20th century. A sheep, ox, swine, or calf was led into the house on Christmas morning.<ref name=v87/> In the west Serbian region of Rađevina, centered on the town of [[Krupanj]], the head of household would place a sheep between himself and the fireplace, and pronounce the aforementioned words while striking the ''badnjak'' with a branch cut from it.<ref name=djurdjev/> In the region of [[Bihor, Montenegro|Bihor]], north-eastern [[Montenegro]], a round loaf of bread with a hole in its center was prepared; four grooves were impressed into its surface along two mutually perpendicular diameters of the loaf. After an ox was led into the house, the loaf was put on his horn, and some grain was thrown on the ox. Yanking his head, the ox would throw off the loaf; having fallen down, the loaf would break into four pieces along the grooves. The pieces were picked up and distributed among the family members. This custom was preserved up to the 1950s even in some Muslim families of the region.<ref>{{Cite book |
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| year = 2003 |
| year = 2003 |
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| place = Belgrade |
| place = Belgrade |
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| ⚫ | | isbn = 86-83679-12-8}}</ref> [[Ethnologist]]s consider that the animal ''polažajnik'' is more ancient than the human one.<ref>Janićijević, p. 211</ref> |
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| isbn = 86-83679-12-8 |
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| access-date = 2009-04-04 |
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| archive-date = 2012-02-22 |
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| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222153503/http://etnoloskabiblioteka.co.rs/cir_citaonica.php5?id=5 |
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| url-status = dead |
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| ⚫ | }}</ref> [[Ethnologist]]s consider that the animal ''polažajnik'' is more ancient than the human one.<ref>Janićijević, p. 211</ref> |
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===Strong water=== |
===Strong water=== |
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====''Tucindan''==== |
====''Tucindan''==== |
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{{main|Tucindan}} |
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On Christmas Eve, the men of the family build a fire in their house yard, and roast a pig, or a sheep in some areas, on a long wooden spit. The whole roasted pig or sheep, called ''pečenica'', is a traditional part of Christmas dinner. People who raise their own swine dedicate one for the ''pečenica'' a month or two before, and feed it with better [[fodder]]. It is traditionally killed on ''Tucindan'', the day before Christmas Eve, by hitting on the head with a lump of salt. Its throat was then cut, the blood being collected and mixed with fodder. Feeding cattle with this mixture was believed to make them thrive. The name ''Tucindan'' is derived from the verb ''tući'' "to beat". The roasted ''pečenica'' may be brought into the house with a ritual similar to that of bringing in the ''badnjak''.<ref name=djurdjev/><ref name=k/><ref name=v78>Vuković, pp. 78-80</ref> |
On Christmas Eve, the men of the family build a fire in their house yard, and roast a pig, or a sheep in some areas, on a long wooden spit. The whole roasted pig or sheep, called ''pečenica'', is a traditional part of Christmas dinner. People who raise their own swine dedicate one for the ''pečenica'' a month or two before, and feed it with better [[fodder]]. It is traditionally killed on ''Tucindan'', the day before Christmas Eve, by hitting on the head with a lump of salt. Its throat was then cut, the blood being collected and mixed with fodder. Feeding cattle with this mixture was believed to make them thrive. The name ''Tucindan'' is derived from the verb ''tući'' "to beat". The roasted ''pečenica'' may be brought into the house with a ritual similar to that of bringing in the ''badnjak''.<ref name=djurdjev/><ref name=k/><ref name=v78>Vuković, pp. 78-80</ref> |
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====Meal==== |
====Meal==== |
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[[File:Cesnica.jpg|thumb|250px|Family members break a ''česnica'' at the beginning of Christmas dinner.]] |
[[File:Cesnica.jpg|thumb|250px|Family members break a ''česnica'' at the beginning of Christmas dinner.]] |
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[[File:Serbian Christmas meal.jpg|thumb|250px|An example of a Christmas table in [[Serbia]]; grilled pork, |
[[File:Serbian Christmas meal.jpg|thumb|250px|An example of a Christmas table in [[Serbia]]; grilled pork, olivie salad (also called Russian salad), dzadziki salad, red wine and Bajadera sweets]] |
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Christmas dinner is the most celebratory meal a family has during a year. About noon, or even earlier, the family members sit down at the table. When the head of household gives a sign, all rise. He lights a candle, [[Censer|censes]] his family and house, and prays the [[Lord's Prayer]]. After that, the family members kiss each other on the cheek saying, "The peace of God among us, Christ is Born."<ref name=spc/> The head and another man of the family hold the ''česnica'' between themselves, rotating it three times [[Clockwise|counterclockwise]]. The ''česnica'' is then carefully broken among the relatives, so that each of them gets his or her own share of the loaf. The family member whose share contains the coin hidden in the ''česnica'', will supposedly be exceptionally lucky in the coming year. The [[main course]] of Christmas dinner is roast pork of the ''pečenica''. During the dinner, the head of household proposes a [[toast (honor)|toast]] to his family with a glass of wine, several times.<ref name=k/><ref name=v87/> A traditional toast from parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina goes like this:<ref>Vuković, p. 252</ref> |
Christmas dinner is the most celebratory meal a family has during a year. About noon, or even earlier, the family members sit down at the table. When the head of household gives a sign, all rise. He lights a candle, [[Censer|censes]] his family and house, and prays the [[Lord's Prayer]]. After that, the family members kiss each other on the cheek saying, "The peace of God among us, Christ is Born."<ref name=spc/> The head and another man of the family hold the ''česnica'' between themselves, rotating it three times [[Clockwise|counterclockwise]]. The ''česnica'' is then carefully broken among the relatives, so that each of them gets his or her own share of the loaf. The family member whose share contains the coin hidden in the ''česnica'', will supposedly be exceptionally lucky in the coming year. The [[main course]] of Christmas dinner is roast pork of the ''pečenica''. During the dinner, the head of household proposes a [[toast (honor)|toast]] to his family with a glass of wine, several times.<ref name=k/><ref name=v87/> A traditional toast from parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina goes like this:<ref>Vuković, p. 252</ref> |
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===''Koleda''=== |
===''Koleda''=== |
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{{see also|Koliada}} |
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The ''[[Koledarenje|koleda]]'' was a custom that a group of young men, [[mask]]ed and costumed, went from house to house of their village singing special ''koleda'' songs and performing acts of magic intended to summon health, wealth, and prosperity for each household.<ref name=kulisic>{{cite book |
The ''[[Koledarenje|koleda]]'' was a custom that a group of young men, [[mask]]ed and costumed, went from house to house of their village singing special ''koleda'' songs and performing acts of magic intended to summon health, wealth, and prosperity for each household.<ref name=kulisic>{{cite book |
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|last = Kulišić |
|last = Kulišić |
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===''Vertep''=== |
===''Vertep''=== |
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{{main|Vertep (Serbian)}} |
{{main|Vertep (Serbian)}} |
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| ⚫ | On Christmas Eve and Day, a group of boys dressed in variegated costumes goes from house to house of their village carrying a ''vertep''—a [[litter (vehicle)|litter]] constructed as a wooden model of a house or a church. The name ''vertep'' comes from the [[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]] вєртє́пъ {{IPA-sh|ʋerˈtep|}} "cave", referring to the [[Church of the Nativity|cave that housed the manger]] in which [[Nativity of Jesus|newborn Jesus Christ]] was laid. There are two dolls inside the litter: one represents the [[Theotokos]], and the other, laid in a model of a manger, represents the Christ Child; the floor is spread with straw.<ref name=mirjana/> This custom is called ''vertep'', and the boys participating in it are the ''vertepaši''. In front of each house they sing Christmas songs, and recite poems that praise the birth of Christ. Similarly to ''koledari'', ''vertepaši'' are armed with wooden swords and fence with each other in front of houses.<ref name=v145/> ''Vertep'' could be regarded as a Christianized form of the ''koleda''. This custom is mainly present among the Serbs of [[Vojvodina]].<ref name=kulisic2>{{cite book |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ |
On Christmas Eve and Day, a group of boys dressed in variegated costumes goes from house to house of their village carrying a ''vertep''—a [[litter (vehicle)|litter]] constructed as a wooden model of a house or a church. The name ''vertep'' comes from the [[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]] вєртє́пъ |
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|last = Kulišić |
|last = Kulišić |
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|first = Špiro |
|first = Špiro |
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|isbn = 86-7587-017-5 |
|isbn = 86-7587-017-5 |
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|chapter = Вертеп}}</ref> |
|chapter = Вертеп}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
===Second and third day of Christmas=== |
===Second and third day of Christmas=== |
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Christmas is celebrated for three days. On the second day of Christmas, neighbors visit each other. On the third day, Christmas straw is taken out of the house. Little bundles are made with it, and hung on fruit trees to make their fruit better. A bigger bundle may be stored in a dry place: it will be burned on [[Đurđevdan|St. George's Day]], as a protection of fields against [[hail]]. Another bundle is taken away across the nearest stream – a symbolic elimination of all the vermin that may be present in the house. Men make crosses from the remnant of the thicker side of ''badnjak'', and stick them under eaves, on fields, meadows, vineyards, and [[apiary|apiaries]]. It is believed this will help that the ensuing year be happy and fruitful. A good sign that this will be the case is when there is a lot of snow on Christmas Day.<ref name=v87/> |
Christmas is celebrated for three days. On the second day of Christmas, neighbors visit each other. On the third day, Christmas straw is taken out of the house. Little bundles are made with it, and hung on fruit trees to make their fruit better. A bigger bundle may be stored in a dry place: it will be burned on [[Đurđevdan|St. George's Day]], as a protection of fields against [[hail]]. Another bundle is taken away across the nearest stream – a symbolic elimination of all the vermin that may be present in the house. Men make crosses from the remnant of the thicker side of ''badnjak'', and stick them under eaves, on fields, meadows, vineyards, and [[apiary|apiaries]]. It is believed this will help that the ensuing year be happy and fruitful. A good sign that this will be the case is when there is a lot of snow on Christmas Day.<ref name=v87/> |
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The third day of Christmas coincides with [[St. Stephen's Day]], which is the [[ |
The third day of Christmas coincides with [[St. Stephen's Day]], which is the [[slava]] of many Serbian families. In this way, many Serbs celebrate two important holidays, Christmas and slava, within three days.<ref name=v87/> |
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==Twelve Days of Christmas== |
==Twelve Days of Christmas== |
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During the [[Twelve Days of Christmas]] (7 January – 18 January on the Gregorian calendar), one is to greet another person with "Christ is Born," which should be responded to with "Truly He is Born," or in [[Gaj's Latin alphabet|Serbian Latin]]: "''Hristos se rodi''" (pronounced {{IPA-sh|ˈxristɔs.sɛ ˈrɔdi|}}) – "''Vaistinu se rodi''" |
During the [[Twelve Days of Christmas]] (7 January – 18 January on the Gregorian calendar), one is to greet another person with "Christ is Born," which should be responded to with "Truly He is Born," or in [[Gaj's Latin alphabet|Serbian Latin]]: "''Hristos se rodi''" (pronounced {{IPA-sh|ˈxristɔs.sɛ ˈrɔdi|}}) – "''Vaistinu se rodi''" {{IPA-sh|ˈʋa.istinusɛ ˈrɔdi|}}. |
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January 14 on the Gregorian calendar corresponds to January 1, New Year's Day, on the Julian calendar; this holiday is also called ''Mali Božić'' ( |
January 14 on the Gregorian calendar corresponds to January 1, New Year's Day, on the Julian calendar; this holiday is also called ''Mali Božić'' ("Little Christmas"). In some regions, the head and the right [[Boston butt]] of the ''pečenica'' are set aside at the Christmas dinner, and are served for dinner on this day. A part of this meal may consist of little round loaves made with [[cornmeal]] and [[cream]]. The loaves are named ''vasilica'' after [[Basil of Caesarea|Saint Basil the Great]], because January 1 is also the feast day of this saint. People versed in [[scapulimancy]] used the [[scapula|shoulder blade]] of the Boston butt to foretell events concerning the family in the ensuing year.<ref name=v94>Vuković, pp. 94-95</ref> The snout cut from the head of ''pečenica'' could have been used in [[love magic]]. If a girl looked stealthily through the snout at a boy she wanted, who was not interested in her, he would supposedly go mad about her.<ref>Vuković, p. 222</ref> |
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On the day before Little Christmas, especially in south-eastern Serbia, a group of young unmarried men went through the streets of their village and chased away demons by making a deafening noise. ''Sirovari'', as these men were called, shouted as loud as possible two words, "''Sirovo burovo''!" accompanied by the noise made with bells, [[Ratchet (instrument)|ratchet]]s, and horseshoes strung on a rope. The group consisted of seven, nine or eleven members; it was said that if there were an even number of ''sirovari'', one of them would die within a year. Moving through the village, they tried to make it impossible for anyone to count them. They constantly changed positions in the group, hid and suddenly reappeared. Villagers were glad to receive them in their homes, and treated them with food and drink.<ref>{{cite journal |
On the day before Little Christmas, especially in south-eastern Serbia, a group of young unmarried men went through the streets of their village and chased away demons by making a deafening noise. ''Sirovari'', as these men were called, shouted as loud as possible two words, "''Sirovo burovo''!" accompanied by the noise made with bells, [[Ratchet (instrument)|ratchet]]s, and horseshoes strung on a rope. The group consisted of seven, nine or eleven members; it was said that if there were an even number of ''sirovari'', one of them would die within a year. Moving through the village, they tried to make it impossible for anyone to count them. They constantly changed positions in the group, hid and suddenly reappeared. Villagers were glad to receive them in their homes, and treated them with food and drink.<ref>{{cite journal |
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| url = http://www.srpsko-nasledje.co.rs/sr-l/1998/01/article-16.html}}</ref> |
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The following custom was recorded at the end of the 19th century in the north |
The following custom was recorded at the end of the 19th century in the north Dalmatian region of [[Bukovica]]. Early in the morning of Little Christmas, children of the family spread Christmas straw from their house around the stake in the center of their village's [[threshing floor]]. The use of this stake was to tether a horse to it; the animal was then driven around to [[Threshing|thresh grain]] by treading with its hooves. The woman of the house baked a big round unleavened loaf of bread with a hole in its center, inscribed with circles, crosses, hooks, and other symbols on its surface. The loaf was taken to the threshing floor, and fixed round the stake. The oldest man of the family would take hold of the stake with his right hand above the loaf. With his left hand he held the right hand of the next oldest man, and so on to the youngest boy who could walk steadily. Holding hands in this manner, they would run around the stake three times. During the running they would shout in unison as loud as possible, "''Ajd ajde, koba moja!''" meaning "Giddy-up, my mare!" – except for the man holding the stake, who would shout, "''De! De! De!''" meaning "Go! Go! Go!" They would then take the hollow loaf back home, and put it near the fireplace beside the remnant of ''badnjak''. The woman of the house would "feed them fodder", i.e., prepare a meal for them, consisting of ''đevenica'' (a sort of dried sausage), roast pork, and the hollow loaf, plus [[rakia]] for the adults. Having eaten, they would go back to the threshing floor and repeat the whole ritual, only this time without the loaf. In the end, they would collect Christmas straw from the threshing floor; it was put in hens' nests to prevent them from laying eggs outside the nests. This custom was considered as especially joyful for children.<ref name=ardalic/> |
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The last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, January 18 (January 5 on the Julian calendar), is the eve of the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]. Its folk name is ''Krstovdan''<ref group=note>This ''Krstovdan'' should not be confused with the [[Exaltation of the Cross#Eastern practices|Feast of Exaltation of the Cross]], whose folk name in Serbian is also ''Krstovdan''.</ref> – the Day of the Cross. This is a strict fast day; the adults should eat almost nothing. It was believed that the north, south, east, and west winds crossed each other on ''Krstovdan''. The wind that overpowered the other three, would be dominant in the ensuing year.<ref name=v94/> |
The last of the Twelve Days of Christmas, January 18 (January 5 on the Julian calendar), is the eve of the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]]. Its folk name is ''Krstovdan''<ref group=note>This ''Krstovdan'' should not be confused with the [[Exaltation of the Cross#Eastern practices|Feast of Exaltation of the Cross]], whose folk name in Serbian is also ''Krstovdan''.</ref> – the Day of the Cross. This is a strict fast day; the adults should eat almost nothing. It was believed that the north, south, east, and west winds crossed each other on ''Krstovdan''. The wind that overpowered the other three, would be dominant in the ensuing year.<ref name=v94/> |
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Gift giving on Christmas is not a Serbian tradition—instead, gifts are given on the three Sundays before Christmas Day. These three holidays are called ''Detinjci'' or ''Djetinjci'', ''Materice'', and ''Oci''. Children give gifts on ''Detinjci'', married women on ''Materice'', and married men on ''Oci''. The best presents are exchanged between parents and their children.<ref name=v78/> |
Gift giving on Christmas is not a Serbian tradition—instead, gifts are given on the three Sundays before Christmas Day. These three holidays are called ''Detinjci'' or ''Djetinjci'', ''Materice'', and ''Oci''. Children give gifts on ''Detinjci'', married women on ''Materice'', and married men on ''Oci''. The best presents are exchanged between parents and their children.<ref name=v78/> |
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The gifts are given in the form of a [[ransom]]. In the morning of ''Detinjci'', the adults use a belt, rope, or scarf to tie their and neighbors' children, binding their legs. The children have already prepared presents for this event, with which they "pay the ransom" and get untied. In the morning of ''Materice'', the children suddenly tie their mother, who asks, as if surprised, why she has been tied. The children then wish a happy Feast of ''Materice'' to her, and she pays the ransom with the prepared presents. They may do the same with married women from their neighborhood. Mothers prepare a family feast on this day. In the morning of ''Oci'', the Sunday immediately before Christmas Day, the children tie their father. Out of these three holidays, ''Materice'' is the most festive.<ref name=v78/> It's worth noting that majority of Serbian population however does not follow the traditions of "Detinjci, Materice and Oci", and if there's gift giving involved it usually takes place on Christmas Eve. This mostly occurs in [[Vojvodina]], as the province boasts a significant [[Protestant]] and [[Catholic]] populations which has led to some intertwining of customs.<ref> |
The gifts are given in the form of a [[ransom]]. In the morning of ''Detinjci'', the adults use a belt, rope, or scarf to tie their and neighbors' children, binding their legs. The children have already prepared presents for this event, with which they "pay the ransom" and get untied. In the morning of ''Materice'', the children suddenly tie their mother, who asks, as if surprised, why she has been tied. The children then wish a happy Feast of ''Materice'' to her, and she pays the ransom with the prepared presents. They may do the same with married women from their neighborhood. Mothers prepare a family feast on this day. In the morning of ''Oci'', the Sunday immediately before Christmas Day, the children tie their father. Out of these three holidays, ''Materice'' is the most festive.<ref name=v78/> It's worth noting that majority of Serbian population however does not follow the traditions of "Detinjci, Materice and Oci", and if there's gift giving involved it usually takes place on Christmas Eve. This mostly occurs in [[Vojvodina]], as the province boasts a significant [[Protestant]] and [[Catholic]] populations which has led to some intertwining of customs.<ref>http://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/vojvodina/kikinda/bozicni-pokloni-i-deciji-osmeh_555157.html</ref><ref>http://rtv.rs/sr_lat/vojvodina/sremska-mitrovica/pokloni-za-bozic_677214.html</ref> Churches in small rural villages will usually provide local children with gifts before Christmas. |
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==List of terms== |
==List of terms== |
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The following is a list of Serbian terms related to Christmas, written in the [[Gaj's Latin |
The following is a list of Serbian terms related to Christmas, written in the [[Gaj's Latin Alphabet|Serbian Latin alphabet]] and the [[Serbian Cyrillic alphabet]], with pronunciations transcribed in the [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] (see [[Help:IPA/Serbo-Croatian]]).<ref>{{cite web |
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|title=Serbian Vocabulary: "Christmas" |
|title=Serbian Vocabulary: "Christmas" |
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| publisher = polyglotclub.com |
| publisher = polyglotclub.com |
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| url = https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Serbian/Vocabulary/Christmas |
| url = https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Serbian/Vocabulary/Christmas |
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| access-date = 2019-01-07}} |
| access-date = 2019-01-07}}{{unreliable source?|date=November 2019}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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|+ |
|+ |
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! |
! Serbian Cyrillic alphabet !! Serbian Latin alphabet !! IPA !! Explanation |
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| бадњачар || badnjačar || {{IPA|[ˈbadɲat͡ʃaːr]}} || The man who takes the ''badnjak'' into house on Christmas Eve |
| бадњачар || badnjačar || {{IPA|[ˈbadɲat͡ʃaːr]}} || The man who takes the ''badnjak'' into house on Christmas Eve |
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| караконџула || [[karakondžula]] || {{IPA|[karaˈkond͡ʒula]}} || A demon |
| караконџула || [[karakondžula]] || {{IPA|[karaˈkond͡ʒula]}} || A demon |
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|- |
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| коледа || [[ |
| коледа || [[Koleduvane|koleda]] || {{IPA|[ˈkoleda]}} || A Christmas custom |
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| коледари || [[Koledarenje|koledari]] || {{IPA|[ˈkoledaːri]}} || Participants in the [[Koledarenje| |
| коледари || [[Koledarenje|koledari]] || {{IPA|[ˈkoledaːri]}} || Participants in the ''[[Koledarenje|koleda'' (''koledarenje'')]] |
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| коринђање || korinđanje || {{IPA|[koˈrind͡ʑaɲe]}} || A Christmas custom |
| коринђање || korinđanje || {{IPA|[koˈrind͡ʑaɲe]}} || A Christmas custom |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal bar|Christianity|Serbia}} |
{{Portal bar|Christianity|Serbia}} |
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* [[Serbian traditions]] |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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{{Christmas}} |
{{Christmas}} |
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{{Europe topic |Christmas in}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Christmas in Serbia| ]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Serbian culture]] |
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[[Category:Serbian traditions]] |
[[Category:Serbian traditions]] |
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[[Category:Christmas traditions by country |
[[Category:Christmas traditions by country]] |
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[[Category:Serb traditions]] |
[[Category:Serb traditions]] |
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[[Category:Slavic Christmas traditions]] |
[[Category:Slavic Christmas traditions]] |
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[[Category:Observances in Serbia]] |
[[Category:Observances in Serbia]] |
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[[Category:Eastern Orthodox Christian culture]] |
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[[Category:Winter events in Serbia]] |
[[Category:Winter events in Serbia]] |
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Latin: A a Á á À à  â Ä ä Ǎ ǎ Ă ă Ā ā à ã Å å Ą ą Æ æ Ǣ ǣ B b C c Ć ć Ċ ċ Ĉ ĉ Č č Ç ç D d Ď ď Đ đ Ḍ ḍ Ð ð E e É é È è Ė ė Ê ê Ë ë Ě ě Ĕ ĕ Ē ē Ẽ ẽ Ę ę Ẹ ẹ Ɛ ɛ Ǝ ǝ Ə ə F f G g Ġ ġ Ĝ ĝ Ğ ğ Ģ ģ H h Ĥ ĥ Ħ ħ Ḥ ḥ I i İ ı Í í Ì ì Î î Ï ï Ǐ ǐ Ĭ ĭ Ī ī Ĩ ĩ Į į Ị ị J j Ĵ ĵ K k Ķ ķ L l Ĺ ĺ Ŀ ŀ Ľ ľ Ļ ļ Ł ł Ḷ ḷ Ḹ ḹ M m Ṃ ṃ N n Ń ń Ň ň Ñ ñ Ņ ņ Ṇ ṇ Ŋ ŋ O o Ó ó Ò ò Ô ô Ö ö Ǒ ǒ Ŏ ŏ Ō ō Õ õ Ǫ ǫ Ọ ọ Ő ő Ø ø Œ œ Ɔ ɔ P p Q q R r Ŕ ŕ Ř ř Ŗ ŗ Ṛ ṛ Ṝ ṝ S s Ś ś Ŝ ŝ Š š Ş ş Ș ș Ṣ ṣ ß T t Ť ť Ţ ţ Ț ț Ṭ ṭ Þ þ U u Ú ú Ù ù Û û Ü ü Ǔ ǔ Ŭ ŭ Ū ū Ũ ũ Ů ů Ų ų Ụ ụ Ű ű Ǘ ǘ Ǜ ǜ Ǚ ǚ Ǖ ǖ V v W w Ŵ ŵ X x Y y Ý ý Ŷ ŷ Ÿ ÿ Ỹ ỹ Ȳ ȳ Z z Ź ź Ż ż Ž ž ß Ð ð Þ þ Ŋ ŋ Ə ə
Greek: Ά ά Έ έ Ή ή Ί ί Ό ό Ύ ύ Ώ ώ Α α Β β Γ γ Δ δ Ε ε Ζ ζ Η η Θ θ Ι ι Κ κ Λ λ Μ μ Ν ν Ξ ξ Ο ο Π π Ρ ρ Σ σ ς Τ τ Υ υ Φ φ Χ χ Ψ ψ Ω ω {{Polytonic|}}
Cyrillic: А а Б б В в Г г Ґ ґ Ѓ ѓ Д д Ђ ђ Е е Ё ё Є є Ж ж З з Ѕ ѕ И и І і Ї ї Й й Ј ј К к Ќ ќ Л л Љ љ М м Н н Њ њ О о П п Р р С с Т т Ћ ћ У у Ў ў Ф ф Х х Ц ц Ч ч Џ џ Ш ш Щ щ Ъ ъ Ы ы Ь ь Э э Ю ю Я я ́
IPA: t̪ d̪ ʈ ɖ ɟ ɡ ɢ ʡ ʔ ɸ β θ ð ʃ ʒ ɕ ʑ ʂ ʐ ç ʝ ɣ χ ʁ ħ ʕ ʜ ʢ ɦ ɱ ɳ ɲ ŋ ɴ ʋ ɹ ɻ ɰ ʙ ⱱ ʀ ɾ ɽ ɫ ɬ ɮ ɺ ɭ ʎ ʟ ɥ ʍ ɧ ʼ ɓ ɗ ʄ ɠ ʛ ʘ ǀ ǃ ǂ ǁ ɨ ʉ ɯ ɪ ʏ ʊ ø ɘ ɵ ɤ ə ɚ ɛ œ ɜ ɝ ɞ ʌ ɔ æ ɐ ɶ ɑ ɒ ʰ ʱ ʷ ʲ ˠ ˤ ⁿ ˡ ˈ ˌ ː ˑ ̪ {{IPA|}}
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