Many traditions, on which the way of life of the Russian people was built, have been erased from our historical memory or curtailed to the simplest and most uninteresting actions. Let's try to remember the main ones.
“To give birth to children is not to break branches”
Maternity hospitals in Russia appeared only in the 18th century, but they were intended for the poor or those who are going to give away their children. Before the revolution, they tried to give birth to children at home, and even better - in a bathhouse, in warmth, away from prying eyes. Following the signs, in order to facilitate childbirth, the woman in labor was untwisted, jewelry was removed from her, and she was girded. All chests, cupboards, windows and doors had to be opened. Midwives helped the women in childbirth. Moreover, they helped not only during childbirth, but also after them: for the first few days they were engaged in household chores. On the 8th of January, the feast of "women's porridge" was celebrated, on which it was customary to thank the midwives and present them with gifts.
Name days, not birthdays
It was the name day, that is, the day of the angel, and not the birthday, that every new year in a person’s life was celebrated. At Soviet power this vestige of the tsarist regime was gradually eradicated. The very nature of the holiday became different: now the emphasis was on physical, rather than spiritual birth. Until the 17th century, the birthday morning began with prayer and communion. Then, as an invitation to the name day, relatives and friends were brought pies baked the day before. The one who brought the cake said: "The birthday boy ordered to bow to the cakes and asked for bread to eat." Pie was the main dish of the holiday. It was broken over the head of the birthday man, so that “gold and silver would fall on him like crumbs.”
house build
Building a house was not only difficult and responsible, but vital. Construction began with an acquaintance with the place where the owner was going to build a house. In order to determine what the genius of the place was, there were many signs. For example, in the evening they put a dry sheepskin on the ground, and in the morning they squeezed it out. If the skin remained dry, it means that the construction will bring ruin to the owner. Or they cut off a slice from a loaf, sprinkled it with salt and put it there. If during the night the bread managed to disappear, they gave it to the dog and began to build. Several coins were placed under the foundation of a house under construction and the house was consecrated. Sometimes a rooster's head was buried under the base.
Moving with a brownie
When moving to new house you should not forget about the brownie, who faithfully lived with you for many years. In order for the brownie not to remain in the old place, the owners took a broom with them. Also, before moving, they put old, not sharp things in a small box and put it outside the threshold for 10 minutes. Then the brownie moved with the owners to a new place.
Fisticuffs
Fist fighting was not just a fight for fun or prowess - it was one of the ways to educate warriors. Initially, there were no rules in it: it was called a clutch fight, and in it everyone was for himself, everyone fought with everyone. Later, fisticuffs turned into martial arts with their own rules and tactics. Here it was impossible to use weapons, to beat a lying person and it was possible to fight only with fists. There were three age groups: boys, unmarried youths and adult men. The battle was fought wall to wall, that is, by teams, and each team had a leader. The church condemned fisticuffs, and they were banned from time to time starting in the 17th century. After the revolution, it was completely banned.
Warrior upbringing
Of course, fisticuffs were not the only tool for educating warriors. Since childhood, the boys played king of the hill, pile-small, ice slides. They also had wooden swords as toys. And the juvenile princes almost with three years worn on the belt military weapon. The rite of initiation of a boy into warriors was performed when he was two or three years old: the boy was tonsured and put on a horse. The older he got, the more often he was taken to fight or hunt. Already in adolescence princes often took up swords.
Christmas and holidays
Christmas was called "the mother of all holidays." They've been preparing for it all year. They cleaned the house, decorated the Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, they ate only once: when the first star appeared in the sky. And the food before Christmas was lenten. The holiday started the next day. A bundle of straw was placed under the tablecloth on the Christmas table, and an iron object was placed under the table. It was believed that anyone who put their feet on it would be healthy all year. Traditional Christmas dishes were goose baked with apples, cold chicken, salted cucumbers, greens, tomatoes, salads, soaked fruits and berries, pies and pies. Christmas time continued until the very Epiphany. People arranged feasts, dressed up in terrible disguises, smeared themselves with soot, portraying a blacksmith, went to visit each other, caroled, guessed.
Illustrations: Elizaveta Bem
The rich and varied culture of the Slavs managed to preserve most of the rituals and customs. The Russian people have always been original and honored their traditions from time immemorial. Over time cultural heritage underwent significant changes, but still the age-old ties were not lost, in modern world there was room for ancient legends and superstitions. Let's try to remember the most important customs, rituals and traditions of the Russian people.
Through me
The basis of the centuries-old culture of the Slavs has always been the family, clan, continuity of generations. The rites and customs of the Russian people were part of a person's life from the moment of his birth. If a boy was born, he was traditionally swaddled in his father's shirt. It was believed that in this way he takes over all the necessary masculine qualities. The girl was wrapped in her mother's clothes so that she would grow up to be a good housewife. From an early age, children revered their father and unquestioningly fulfilled all his requirements and wishes. The head of the family was akin to God, who gave continuation to his family.
For the child to be blessed higher powers, did not get sick and developed well, the father presented his heir to the deities. First of all, he showed the baby to Yarila, Semarglu and Svarog. The Gods of Heaven should be giving their patronage to the baby. Then came the turn of Mother Earth, or, as she was otherwise called, the Goddess Mokosh. The child was put on the ground and then dipped into the water.
Bratchina
If you delve into history and look for what rituals and customs of the Russian people were the most cheerful and crowded, then bratchina will take one of the main places. It was not a spontaneous gathering of the people and mass celebration. This ritual has been in preparation for months. Especially for the bratchina, livestock were fattened and beer was brewed in large volumes. In addition, the drinks included wine, mead and kvass. Each guest was required to bring food. The place for the celebration was chosen by all honest people. A random person could not get to the brotherhood - everyone had to receive an invitation. At the table, the most honorable places were occupied by people whose merits were evaluated most highly. Buffoons and songwriters came to entertain the feasters. The festivities could last several hours, and sometimes several weeks.
Wedding
Today's youth does not even suspect that everything wedding traditions came from ancient times. Some have undergone changes, some have remained the same as in the days of our ancestors. Of all the rites and customs of the Russian people, the wedding is considered the most fascinating.
According to a long tradition, it had several stages. Matchmaking, bridegroom, conspiracy, pre-wedding week, bachelorette and bachelor parties, vytye, collection of the wedding train, wedding, wedding feast, test of the young, separation - without these important components, it is even impossible to imagine marriage in Rus'.
Despite the fact that now this is much easier, some wedding customs, rituals, proverbs of the Russian people continue to live. Who is not familiar with the expression: "You have a product, we have a merchant"? It is with these words that the groom's parents come to woo.
And the tradition of bringing a young wife into the house in her arms is connected with the desire to deceive the brownie. So the husband circled the owner of the house around the finger, making it clear that he was bringing in the hands of a newborn family member, and not a stranger. Vytye now can cause horror, but before, not a single preparation for a wedding could do without this ceremony. They lamented and wept for the bride, as in our time for the dead.
The ceremony with the shedding of young people with grain has come down to our days - for large families and wealth. In ancient times, bells on the wedding train were used to scare away evil spirits, and now they have been replaced cans tied to the bumper of a car.
Theft and ransom of the bride are also old Russian customs. The composition of the dowry also did not undergo significant changes- feather bed, pillows, blankets and now parents hand over to the bride before the wedding. True, in ancient times, the girl herself had to make them with my own hands.
Christmas rites
After the establishment of Christianity in Rus', new church holidays appeared. The most beloved and long-awaited is Christmas. From January 7 to January 19, Christmas celebrations were held - a favorite youth fun. All the legends, superstitions, rituals and customs of the Russian people associated with these days have come down to our time.
Young girls were gathering small groups to tell fortunes about the betrothed-mummer and find out from which end of the village to wait for the matchmakers. The most extreme way to see your chosen one was considered to be a trip to the bath with a mirror and a candle. The danger lay in the fact that it was necessary to do this alone and at the same time take off the cross.
carols
The culture, customs and rituals of the Russian people are closely connected with the world of nature and animals. In the evenings, young people went caroling. Dressed up in animal skins or bright costumes, they knocked on houses and begged for treats from the owners with carol songs. It was fraught to refuse such guests - they could easily destroy the woodpile, freeze the door or create other minor pranks. Caroling guests were treated to sweets and it was always believed that their wishes (genuity) for the whole year would provide prosperity and peace in the house, save the owners from ailments and misfortunes. The custom of dressing up as animals is rooted in paganism - so it was possible to scare away evil spirits.
Superstitions and signs for Christmas
It was believed that to lose a thing on the eve of a holiday means to suffer losses all year. Dropping or breaking a mirror is in trouble. Many stars in the sky - for a big harvest. Do needlework on Christmas Eve - get sick all year.
Maslenitsa
The most cheerful and delicious holiday in Rus' actually has a rather gloomy interpretation. In the old days, these days they commemorated the dead. Actually, the burning of an effigy of Maslenitsa is a funeral, and pancakes are a treat.
This holiday is interesting because it lasts a whole week, and every day is dedicated to a separate ritual. On Monday, they made a scarecrow and rode it on a sleigh throughout the village. On Tuesday, mummers went all over the village and gave performances.
A distinctive feature of this day was considered "bearish" entertainment. The trained owners of the forest staged whole performances, portraying women in their usual activities.
On Wednesday, the main celebration began - pancakes were baked in the houses. Tables were set up on the streets and food was sold. could be under open sky taste hot tea from a samovar and eat pancakes. Also on this day, it was customary to go to the mother-in-law for refreshments.
Thursday was a special day when all the fellows could measure themselves against the heroic strength. Shrovetide fisticuffs attracted guys, everyone wanted to show their prowess.
On Friday, pancakes were baked in the son-in-law's house, it was his turn to treat all the guests. On Saturday, the daughters-in-law received guests from among the husband's relatives.
And Sunday was called "forgiveness." It is on this day that it is customary to apologize for insults and visit the cemetery to say goodbye to the dead. The effigy of Maslenitsa was burned, and from that day it was believed that spring had come into its own.
Ivan Kupala
The customs, traditions and rituals of the Russian people associated with this holiday have survived to this day. Of course, a lot has changed, but the basic meaning has remained the same.
According to legend, on the day of the summer solstice, people tried to appease the great celestial being so that it would give them a good harvest and ward off illnesses. But with the advent of Christianity, Kupala joined with the feast of John the Baptist and began to bear the name Ivan Kupala.
This holiday is most interesting in that the legends speak of a great miracle taking place on this night. Certainly, we are talking about the flowering of the fern.
This myth led many people to wander through the forest at night in the hope of seeing a miracle for several centuries. It was believed that the one who sees how the fern blooms will find out where all the treasures of the world are hidden. In addition, all the herbs in the forest acquired a special medicinal power that night.
The girls wove wreaths of 12 different herbs and let them float down the river. If he drowns, expect trouble. If it swims long enough, get ready for the wedding and prosperity. To wash away all sins, it was necessary to bathe and jump over the fire.
Day of Peter and Fevronia
Tradition says that Prince Peter fell seriously ill and saw prophetic dream about the fact that the maiden Fevronia will help him heal. He sought out the girl, but she demanded that he marry her as payment. The prince gave his word and did not keep it. The ailment returned, and he was forced to ask for help again. But this time he kept his promise. The family was strong and it was these Saints who became the patrons of marriage. The original Russian holiday is celebrated immediately after Ivan Kupala - on July 8th. It can be compared to Western Valentine's Day. The difference lies in the fact that in Russia this day is not considered a holiday for all lovers, but only married people. All future spouses dream of getting married on this day.
Saved
It's another one sweet holiday whose roots go back to ancient times. On August 14, Russia celebrates Honey Spas. On this day, honeycombs are filled with sweet treats and it's time to collect the viscous amber-colored liquid.
August 19 - Apple Spas. This day marks the arrival of autumn and the beginning of the harvest. People rush to the church to bless the apples and taste the first fruits, since it was forbidden to eat them until that day. It is necessary to treat all relatives and friends with fruits. In addition, apple pies are baked and treated to all passers-by.
Nut Spas begins on August 29. From that day on, it was customary to dig potatoes, bake pies from fresh bread flour, and store nuts for the winter. Great holidays were held all over the country - festivities were held in the villages before the harvest, and fairs were held in the cities. On this day, birds begin to fly to warmer climes.
cover
On October 14, people said goodbye to autumn and met winter. It often snowed that day, which was compared to the bride's veil. It is on this day that it is customary to enter into marriages, because the Intercession gives love and happiness to all people in love.
There are special rituals for this holiday. For the first time, women made a fire in the stove, symbolizing the warmth and comfort in the house. It was necessary to use branches or logs of fruit trees for these purposes. In this way, a good harvest could be ensured for the next year.
The hostess baked pancakes and Pokrovsky loaf. It was necessary to treat the neighbors with this bread, and hide the leftovers until Lent.
Also on this day, one could ask the Mother of God for protection for children. The woman stood up with the icon on the bench and read a prayer over her family. All the children fell on their knees.
Young girls and boys arranged gatherings. It was believed that everyone who married on this day, the Mother of God gives protection.
You can learn more about all the traditions in training course Basics religious cultures and secular ethics (ORKSE). The customs and rituals of the Russian people are revealed there with maximum accuracy and described in accordance with historical facts.
Tradition, custom, ritual is an age-old connection, a kind of bridge between the past and the present. Some customs are rooted in the distant past, over time they have changed and lost their sacred meaning, but are observed at the present time, passed from grandparents to grandchildren and great-grandchildren as a memory of their ancestors. IN countryside traditions are observed more widely than in cities where people live apart from each other. But many rituals have become so firmly established in our lives that we perform them without even thinking about their meaning.
Traditions are calendar, associated with field work, family, pre-Christian period, the most ancient, religious, which entered our lives with the adoption of Christianity, and some pagan rites were mixed with Orthodox beliefs and changed somewhat.
calendar rites
The Slavs were pastoralists and farmers. In the pre-Christian period in the pantheon Slavic gods included several thousand idols. The supreme gods were Svarozhichs, the progenitors of all living things. One of them was Veles, the patron of cattle breeding and agriculture. The Slavs made sacrifices to him before the start of sowing and harvesting. On the first day of sowing, all the villagers went out into the field in new clean shirts with flowers and wreaths. Sowing was started by the oldest resident of the village and the smallest, they threw the first grain into the ground.
Harvesting was also a holiday. All, even the old and sick, the inhabitants of the village gathered at the border of the field, a sacrifice was made to Veles, most often a large ram, then the strongest and handsome men and young guys with braids in their hands and at the same time passed the front page. Then the girls and young women, always fast and healthy, tied the sheaves and placed the money. After a successful cleaning, a rich table was laid for all the inhabitants of the village, at the head of the table they placed a large sheaf, decorated with ribbons and flowers, which was also considered a sacrifice to the god Veles.
Maslenitsa also refers to calendar rites, although it is now considered a semi-religious holiday. In ancient times, this rite called Yarilo, the god of the sun and heat, on which the harvest directly depended. That is why the custom was born on this day to bake pancakes, fatty, ruddy, hot as the sun. All people danced round dances, which are also a symbol of the sun, sang songs praising the power and beauty of the luminary, and burned an effigy of Maslenitsa.
Today Maslenitsa has lost its pagan meaning and is considered almost a religious holiday. Each day of the Maslenitsa week has its own purpose. And the most important day is Forgiveness Sunday, when you should ask all your family and relatives for forgiveness for involuntary offenses. Sunday is the turn to Great Lent, the strictest and longest, when believers refuse meat and dairy food for seven weeks.
Christmas rites
When Christianity was firmly established in Rus', new church holidays. And some holidays that have a religious basis have become truly popular. It is to these that the Christmas celebrations that take place from January 7 (Christmas) to January 19 (Epiphany) should be attributed.
At Christmas time, young people went from house to house with performances, other groups of guys and girls caroled, girls and young women guessed in the evenings. Be sure all the villagers participated in the preparations for the holidays. Cattle were slaughtered and special dishes were prepared. On Christmas Eve, January 6, the evening before Christmas, they cooked uzvar, a sweet compote with rice, cooked cheesecakes and pies, sochevo, a special dish of cabbage with grain.
Young people sang special humorous carols, asked for treats, jokingly threatened:
"If you don't give me a pie, we'll bring the cow by the horns."
If treats were not given, then they could play a trick: close the pipe, destroy the pile of firewood, freeze the door. But that was rare. It was believed, and still is considered, that generosity, songs with wishes of happiness and prosperity, and grain brought into the house by guests bring happiness to the house for the whole new year, relieve illness and misfortune. Therefore, everyone tried to treat the visitors to their heart's content and distribute generous gifts to them.
Young girls most often guessed at fate, at suitors. The most daring fortune-tellers in the bath with a mirror by candlelight, although this was considered very dangerous, because in the bath they removed the cross from themselves. The girls brought armfuls of firewood into the house, according to the number of logs, even or odd, it was possible to say whether or not she would get married this year. They fed the chicken with counted grain, drowned the wax and considered what he predicts for them.
family rituals
Perhaps most of the rituals and traditions are connected with family life. Matchmaking, weddings, christenings - all this required the observance of ancient rituals that came from grandmothers and great-grandmothers, and their exact observance promised a happy life. family life, healthy children and grandchildren.
Slavs used to live big families where adult children who already had families of their own lived with their parents. In such families, three or four generations could be observed, families included up to twenty people. such an elder big family usually there was a father or older brother, and his wife was the head of the women. Their orders were carried out unquestioningly along with the laws of the government.
Weddings were usually celebrated after the harvest or after Epiphany. Later, the most successful time for weddings was Krasnaya Gorka - a week after Easter. The wedding ceremony itself took a rather long period of time and included several stages, and hence a large number of rituals.
The bridegroom's parents came to woo the bride together with godparents, less often other close relatives. The conversation had to start allegorically:
“You have goods, we have a merchant” or “Did a heifer run into your yard, we came for it.”
If the bride's parents agreed, it was necessary to hold a bridegroom where the bride and groom would get to know each other. Then there will be collusion or handshake. Here, new relatives agree on the wedding day, dowry, and what gifts the groom will bring to the bride.
When everything was discussed, her bridesmaids gathered at the bride’s house every evening and helped prepare the dowry: they wove, sewed, knitted lace, embroidered gifts for the groom. All girl gatherings were accompanied by sad songs, because no one knew what fate the girl would have. In the house of her husband, a woman was expected to work hard and complete submission to the will of her husband. On the first day of the wedding, the songs sounded mainly lyrical, majestic, farewell laments. Upon arrival from the church, the parents met the young on the porch with bread and salt, and the mother-in-law had to put a spoonful of honey in her new daughter-in-law's mouth.
The second day is completely different. On this day, according to custom, the son-in-law and his friends went "to the mother-in-law for pancakes." After good feast, the guests dressed up, covered their faces with bandages or linens and drove around the village, visiting all the new relatives. This custom is still preserved in many villages, where on the second day of the wedding, costumed guests harness themselves to the cart and roll new matchmakers through the streets.
And, of course, speaking of customs, one cannot skip the rite of baptism of an infant. Children were baptized immediately after birth. To perform the ceremony, they conferred for a long time, choosing godparents. They will be the second parents for the child and, along with them, are responsible for the life, health and upbringing of the baby. Godparents become godfathers and maintain friendly relations with each other all their lives.
When the child was one year old godmother she put him on a twisted sheepskin coat and with scissors carefully cut off a cross in her hair on the crown of her head. This was done in order to devilry did not have access to his thoughts and further actions.
On Christmas Eve, the grown-up godson always brought kutya and other treats to the godfather, and the godfather presents him with some sweets in return.
mixed rites
As we have already said, some rituals originated in the pre-Christian period, but continue to live to this day, having slightly changed their appearance. So it was with Shrovetide. The rite is widely known - the celebration of the night on Ivan Kupala. It was believed that only on this one day of the year the fern blooms. Whoever can find this flower that cannot be handed over will be able to see the treasures underground, and all secrets will be revealed before him. But only a man can find it pure in heart, sinless.
In the evening, huge bonfires were lit, over which young people jumped in pairs. It was believed that if the two of you, holding hands, jump over the fire, then love will not leave you for the rest of your life. They danced and sang songs. The girls wove wreaths and floated on the water. They believed that if the wreath swims to the shore, then the girl will remain single for another year, if she drowns, she will die this year, and if she goes with the flow, she will soon get married.
The history and culture of the Russian people goes back many centuries. All these years it was constantly enriched with new phenomena and traditions, but continued to keep the memory of the experience and customs of their ancestors. Often Russian national rites form a rather bizarre combination of actions due to ancient pagan beliefs, which, nevertheless, harmoniously correlate with the Christian Orthodox canons.
Most of the rituals in Rus', one way or another, are connected with religion, and more ancient, pre-Christian traditions with the mythological personification of the elements and natural phenomena.
The most famous and important pagan rites that have survived after the baptism of Rus' include:
- Maslenitsa.
- Ivan Kupala Day.
- Caroling.
- Yarilin day.
All of them, one way or another, were associated with the archaic ideas of the Slavs about the forces of nature and were most often tied to some events, calendar or seasons.
Maslenitsa
From ancient times, the event that occurred on the day of the vernal equinox was celebrated widely and on a grand scale. People rejoiced at the arrival of spring: it is no coincidence that the symbol of this holiday was a pancake - a miniature symbolic sun. Maslenitsa itself symbolized winter. It was believed that after the rite of burning, she would transfer all her powerful energy to the earth, thereby ensuring a rich harvest and protecting her from natural disasters.
Ivan Kupala Day
Initially, the holiday was tied to the day of the summer solstice, but the name itself, which has come down to our days, received already in the Christian era by the name of John the Baptist. This epithet in Greek sounds like “bather”, “immerser”, which is quite consistent with the essence of the celebration - ritual bathing in an open reservoir. This holiday very clearly demonstrates the bizarre combination of Christian religious traditions with pagan, archaic beliefs and rituals.
One of the main traditions on Ivan Kupala is jumping over the fire. It was believed that this promotes purification, protects against ailments and allows you to protect yourself from evil spirits. It was very important to swim in a river or lake on the night of Ivan Kupala, since the water was considered purified from all evil spirits and acquiring some magical properties.
Yarilin day
Again, in the originally pagan holiday dedicated to the god of the sun - Yarila, with the adoption of Christianity, some motives were added about the struggle of saints with a pagan deity.
On this day, the ancient Slavs turned to Yarila for help to ensure the crops. sunlight and protected from flooding. An important ceremony that took place on this day was called “Opening the Earth”. By all means it was necessary to swim in the dew, because. It was believed that on this day it has healing and miraculous properties.
caroling
This rite, as a rule, was timed to coincide with Christmas time and was a round of a house in the village by a group of young people and girls who sang comic songs or good wishes to the owners, receiving a ritual reward for this. The ancient Russian tillers were sure that participation in Christmas ceremonies doubled the energy of fertility and contributed to an increase in crop yields, livestock offspring and ensured general well-being in the courtyard.
With the adoption of Orthodoxy, a significant number of religious rites appeared associated with the onset of certain important stages in a person’s life. Among the main ones are:
- Baptism.
- Wedding ceremonies.
- Funeral rites.
Baptism
The rite of baptism meant the spiritual birth of a person and his belonging to Christian religion. The child had to be baptized in the first year of life. For each baby were assigned God-parents who presented the child with an icon of his patron and an Orthodox pectoral cross ik. They called the newborn in accordance with the name of the saint mentioned in the calendar.
The choice of godparents was treated very responsibly: it was believed that they were responsible for the child and should set a worthy example for him to the same extent as biological parents. After the ceremony in the church, a festive and generous feast was arranged with the presence of all people close to the newly baptized baby.
wedding ceremonies
For weddings in Rus' they tried to divert certain periods V calendar year. It was impossible to marry during big posts. In addition, weddings were rarely played during the period of the most intensive agricultural work.
The main wedding ceremonies included:
- Matchmaking.
- Look and look.
- Collusion.
- Wedding train.
- Wedding.
Not a single wedding was complete without matchmaking. It was milestone, on which the groom's family made a decision on whether it was worth persuading the girl they liked to marry their son. Moreover, very often at this stage, they were not even interested in the opinion of the potential newlyweds themselves, and the bride and groom could only see each other only on the bride.
If both parties were happy with everything, a wedding conspiracy took place, during which, the heads of families, in literally, hit each other on the hands, symbolically denoting the achievement of principled consent to marriage between their children. During the agreement, the wedding date, invited guests, as well as other organizational issues were discussed.
Refusing to marry after collusion meant dishonoring yourself and your potential spouse. In case of refusal, the “injured” party had the right to demand compensation for all losses associated with this action.
On the day of the wedding, a wedding train was assembled, which was an elegant britzka, wagon or sleigh, at the head of which was the groom's friend who ordered the route.
Finally, the most important wedding ceremony there was a wedding. After the completion of the sacrament, the parents were waiting for the young in the groom's house, met them with bread and salt and rolled up a generous and cheerful wedding feast.
Funeral rites
The main meaning of all the rites associated with the burial of the deceased was the desire to facilitate his transition from this world to the kingdom of God. The funeral service could not be performed if the person was not baptized, committed the sin of suicide, or did not confess or receive communion within a year before death. The deceased was dressed with a pectoral cross, dressed in clean clothes and covered with a funeral veil. Music was considered inappropriate, as were flowers.
It was believed that the main thing on this day is a prayer for the forgiveness of the sins of the deceased. After the burial of the deceased, the relatives organized a memorial meal, which was accompanied by appropriate prayers. Bringing food to the churchyard was considered unacceptable. According to tradition, food was brought to the church and treated to parishioners. On the 3rd, 9th and 40th day, a memorial service was ordered in the church. All this time, relatives mourned for the deceased, dressed in dresses dark shades
As in the old days they saw off to the soldier's service.
In the old days, men in soldiers served for 25 years. Since there was no railway at that time, the conscripted soldiers had to walk to and fro. To do this, they had to go for long weeks. Moreover, who went to the soldiers, they were soon forgotten in the village, upon their return they were not given land. Therefore, at that time there were also deserters who evaded drafts, who hid and lived in the forests located close to the village. Such people were called "tarkans". For a long time, persons drafted into the army were escorted with all honors. They were invited to visit, gave scarves, etc. The future soldier sang a song before leaving for the soldier's service with his friends and peers, waving a bunch of numerous scarves and walked through all the streets of the village. Relatives and neighbors invited the future soldier and his friends to their house and seated them at a table prepared in advance with gifts. The hosts treated everyone to beer, and hung on the soldier’s shoulder embroidered towel. At the same time, everyone read a prayer, turning to God with the words: “May God protect you and bring you home safe and sound!”. Those leaving home for 25 years were escorted to the soldiers as if he was going to his death. Relatives on the road prepared food and supplies in a special bag. Somewhat later, in some places the soldiers who had already returned home began to be recognized as respected people. If such people started families and had children, then in the church during registration and baptism they indicated "Father-soldier Ivan." Many of these customs of seeing off to the army are still preserved in the countryside. For example, a man leaving for the army sings a farewell song with his friends while walking through the streets of the village and waving a bunch of handkerchiefs. Relatives and acquaintances invite him to their house and bless him for military service, and at the same time they hang an embroidered towel on his shoulder.
How they greeted each other when they met.
This custom is described in the handwritten book as follows: “Previously, decent people respected each other, when they met each other they bowed, exchanged good words. Poor people and rich people were equal in this regard: they bowed in public or without strangers. People were somewhat intoxicated when they walked down the street, reaching the courtyard of some Ivan or Peter, shouting, for example, hello to Ivan or Peter, or bread and salt to Ivan, Peter. These words were like respect for these people. The younger ones were the first to say hello. Nowadays, these customs are observed mainly by the elderly. When they meet each other, they shake hands, bow, taking off their headdress, wishing each other good health.
Religious rituals.
Before adoption in our village Orthodox faith, the villagers did not pray to God, but observed religious rituals similar to the Old Believers. For example, in the book of Andrei Mikhailovich, the rituals of the Old Believers in our village are described as follows: “The rituals of the Old Believers were performed in the place where the water mill was located. At that time, and even now, there is the so-called "Ivan-mountain". People gathered here certain time and prayed, and after that they dined from a common large cauldron. Each brought cups and spoons for himself. In addition, the peasants prayed every day, leaving the house, in the yard, bowing towards the barn to an unknown god. Such rituals were called "Kiremet". After the adoption of Orthodoxy, all the inhabitants of the village regularly attended churches and prayed. At the same time, all Orthodox rites, baptized newborns and got married only in churches. There was no church in our village, and there is none now. Therefore, the villagers went to the church of the village of Vysokovka, which still exists today. The village of Vysokovka is located in the northwest of our village.
How young people got married and got married.
In winter, women and young girls were engaged in spinning wool on homemade wooden looms. Such classes were held not only in huts, but also in black warm baths after washing the family. Despite the beggarly lifestyle, young girls got married. At the same time, the rite of marriage was always observed. For courtship in the house of the bride, the groom invited the closest relatives. The groom's parents took an embroidered towel, a loaf of bread, a barrel of beer and a circle of homemade cheese. They were symbols of abundance and prosperity. future family. During the courtship, the parents agreed on the timing of the wedding, what ransom the groom had to pay for the bride, which of the relatives to be the planted father. Grooms, as a rule, rode for the bride on good horses, like real cavalrymen on saddles. At the moment when the bride was leaving her father's house, the groom "treated" her with a whip 3 times. From that moment on, she was allegedly the wife of the groom. It also meant that from that moment on, the bride's father hands her over to the groom. Often there were cases when brides were abducted by force, and then the parents locked the bride and groom for the night in the barn. After that, they already went to the church for the wedding. After the wedding took place, as Andrei Mikhailovich writes in his book, according to custom, they did not have the right to divorce. Whether they loved each other or not, they had to live their lives only together. At present, some customs have been preserved: the rite of matchmaking, weddings.
How thieves were punished.
In his book Reflections Alone, Andrei Mikhailovich writes how thieves were punished in our village in the old days: it was for the crooks and bandits was on hand. Come, take, kill - no one hears. The royal gendarmes were then too far from the village. For this reason, barns were built with doors facing the hut, and richer people built two-story barns. Moreover, less valuable things were stored on the lower floor, and more valuable things were stored on the upper floor. Only 1-2 families were richer in our village. Such families covered the roofs of houses and barns with wooden boards, and later even with sheet iron. At the beginning of the construction of the village in our places there were many crooks who stole not only food Agriculture, but even women and animals. However, when houses began to be built at a close distance from each other, according to the “street” principle, it became more difficult for crooks to openly engage in the theft of agricultural products and small animals. Therefore, they began to steal horses not only while they were on the pasture, but also in the conditions of keeping them in the yards of the peasants. In 1910, the cost of one working horse reached 30-40 rubles, which was 70-80 pounds of rye, which was very beneficial for robbers and thieves. At that time, if a peasant is left without a horse, it meant almost the death of the family. There is nowhere to work, there are no enterprises around where you can earn money, the peasant has nothing to sell in order to support his family. Even if there was a good dressing, a barn for keeping a horse, the crooks managed to kidnap horses, dragging them through the storehouse, using logs, thick boards and ropes for this. However, if the locals caught such thieves, there was no mercy for them. In 1913, an unknown, previously convicted, was going to steal a horse from the peasant Zinoviev Kirill. However, the locals noticed the thief. Local residents said that he had been escorted somewhere. And where and in what country - no one knows. Previously, local residents had the right to take measures against the guilty, such as working somewhere in the construction of houses, cellars, sheds, etc. And with regard to murderers, major robbers had the right to send them into exile in Siberia for up to 25 years. In our village, a peasant named Terenty, after exile, returned from Siberia and lived in the village until 1913 and died here in old age. In 1890, in our village, a man named Unichem was sent to Siberia for 25 years for systematic hooligan acts by the decision of the people of the village. He returned from there after the 1917 revolution. After that he worked for railway before old age. In old age, no one cared for him. In general, at that time, the peasants did not respect thieves and crooks, and openly hated them. There were cases when a petty swindler was caught, such people were punished in public with rods or they were led around the village and forced to shout: “I am a thief, a swindler, so that no one will ever steal.” horse, and suspicion fell on fellow villager Vasley. For this, allegedly by mistake, he was beaten half to death. Another case was when a peasant named Dmitry stole two carts of unthreshed sheaves and brought them home. For this, the locals beat him on the soles of his feet. This man then went blind and soon died untimely. Even in 1921, for stealing potatoes, taking a crook by the hand, they took him around the village and forced him to shout that he was a crook. The inhabitants did not communicate with crooks and thieves at all, they did not even sit down to have dinner with them. There were two cases when stealing horses were beaten to death. In general, those who returned from exile to the village were looked upon as predatory animals. According to the author's notes, under the tsarist regime, the guilty were not imprisoned. They were simply punished on the spot at their discretion. local residents. The author gives an example of how one was stabbed to death with a sickle during harvesting, another was killed with a knife in the office of the volost executive committee. At present, thieves are not punished like that, this is done by the relevant police and prosecutor's offices.
Holidays.
In the summer, before the start of harvesting grain in the field, young guys and girls gathered in the evening at a predetermined place, where they sang songs, danced, and played all kinds of games. All this was heard from afar. The impression is that the whole village is celebrating. Such funny companies they dispersed only at nightfall. Young people, in order to meet each other more often, visited churches, markets, and fairs. The closest bazaar at that time was the village of Vysokovka. This is a village 4 kilometers from us and there was also a church where both young and old gathered on Mondays. Here in the bazaar they sold almost everything that a peasant needed: cheap manufactory, scarves (called red goods), shoes, shirts, trousers, etc. Here, almost nearby, there is a church where everyone went after visiting the bazaar. The most acceptable place of entertainment for young people was the village of Small Kibechi. Such holidays were called carnival in honor of the king's coronation day. Here on this day, young and old rejoiced, drank, noble people they were rewarded by raising them on their hands and up, so several times. Holidays, the so-called "Trinity holidays", were also fun days. Such holidays were held after the end of the sowing campaign on the outskirts of the forest called "Pekat". On the day appointed for the holiday, young and old residents of the villages of Small Kibechi, Middle Kibechi, Lower Kibechi, Upper Divlizerovo, Chelkumaga-Kibechi gathered here. All kinds of performances were shown here, artistic amateur groups organized dances and dances, as well as sport competitions. Old men and women went there with the aim of possible selection of brides for their sons. Even in winter, people, especially young people, found time for entertainment. For this purpose, they gathered for parties somewhere in a freer room (hut, bathhouse). Such parties in Chuvash were called "ulakh". Here the girls spun, embroidered, and the guys chose their brides. Boys and girls met here using all sorts of religious dates. For example, baptism New Year, Maslenitsa, Christmas time, Christmas, Easter.
How Easter was celebrated (monkun).
Easter was celebrated for a whole week. Guys and girls in the ravine sledding, dancing right on the street without music. In the old days, for such purposes in the village they used musical instruments gusli and shybyr (bagpipe). Easter is a holiday of meeting the spring new year according to the ancient Chuvash calendar. The name monkun is translated into Russian as "great day". Adults in this festive week went to relatives. They certainly invited the named fathers and mothers of newborn children, new sons-in-law and matchmakers, as well as other relatives. We visited with a large number of gifts, and each brought his own beer. There were always colored eggs on the table. Guests and hosts picked up one egg each and knocked them in turn. The last unbroken egg was placed next to the icons, believing that it would bring good luck to the house. A large number of gifts were supposed to contribute to the wealth and well-being of the owners. In turn, the hosts also tried to richly present guests. Fathers and mothers - godparents of children brought them shirts each. Children, on the other hand, were supposed to be gifted with shirts at their wedding. It was believed that children bring happiness, health and prosperity to the house. Therefore, if a boy came to the house on the first day of Easter, it was believed that cows would bring bulls, sheep - rams. But heifers and yarovka were more desirable. Therefore, the boys tried to let the girls go ahead of them. The one who entered first was carried in his arms to the front corner and seated, putting a pillow on a chair in front of the table, they treated him as best as possible. At the same time, the children had to sit still, otherwise, allegedly, the birds would not hatch the chicks. Some of these customs have survived to this day: dyeing eggs, going to relatives with gifts, the first person who comes to visit is put on a pillow, treated as best as possible.
