One of the most famous and beloved Russian national holidays, preserved since pagan times, is Pancake Week. The description of the holiday, a summary of the scripts of rites and rituals requires the creation of a separate article. Therefore, I propose together to learn more about the history and traditions of the national celebration.
history of the holiday
The ancient Slavs believed that Shrovetide symbolizes the strengthening of the pagan deity of the sun. From a weak baby Kolyada it turns into a strong young man Yarila, who helps to get a rich harvest in the fields in the summer. In honor of this, Shrovetide was arranged. The description of the holiday in Russia is presented as a meeting of spring and cajoling of the gods with a request for a safe new crop.
Until the XIV century, every year in Russia began its countdown from March 1. Therefore, the festival of Maslenitsa also meant the celebration of the New Year. Pancakes, which were a symbol of the solar circle, were a traditional holiday treat. Hot and rosy, they look like the sun, which is growing more and more brighter every day of spring. An ancient sign said: how will the meeting of the new year, so will the whole year. Therefore, our ancestors did not spare money for a rich feast and fun games, which are especially generous with Shrovetide. The description of the holiday mentions its other names among the people: broad, gluttonous, honest and even a ravager. The proverb read: "Pancake week is a big deal, money is tidying up."
Cheese Week
Over time, the pagan holiday, which lasted fourteen days, turned into a Christian. It began to precede the beginning of Great Lent, lasting forty days and ending with Easter - the Holy Sunday of Christ. Because of this, Shrovetide has become a movable holiday, depending on Easter terms, and decreased to seven days.
In the time of Peter the Great, a decree was issued ordering to celebrate the holiday in the image and likeness of European carnivals. Merry and courageous was remembered by our ancestors and extant Shrovetide. The description of the holiday (photo below) resembles an Italian carnival, which in translation sounds like “goodbye, beef”. The seven days preceding Lent were also called Meatblower. These days it was already forbidden to eat meat, although other non-food products (butter, milk, eggs, fish) were allowed.
Pancake week ceremonies
The traditions and rituals of Cheese Week are strictly ordered and obey the sacred number seven. That is how many days Maslenitsa lasts. The description of the holiday (burning a scarecrow, festivities, gatherings, etc.) suggests that Meat and Poultry begins exactly seven weeks before Easter and is divided into two parts. Narrow Shrovetide is a short period that includes the first three days of the week. The second part (starting from Thursday and ending with Sunday) is called Wide Shrovetide. The description of each day speaks of its special purpose and is associated with the performance of certain rituals.
During the week, people go on a visit, treat each other with hearty holiday food, have fun, dance and sing. The culmination of the holiday falls on Sunday. On this day, the effigy of Winter is burned. The ritual symbolizes the inevitable change of seasons. This solemn event ends with Shrovetide.
The description of the holiday for children and adults contains a deep meaning based on folk wisdom. He talks about the sacrifice, which is necessary for future fertility. The birth of life is preceded by struggle, death and resurrection. Further in the article we consider the description of Shrovetide for each day of the holiday. We will also find out what customs of the Meatless Week have survived to the present.
Day One - Meeting
Narrow Shrovetide. The description of the days of events that should take place during the holiday week starts on Monday. From improvised materials (straw, rags, hemp), young people made a large doll, dressing her in women's clothing. So there was a ritual of creating a scarecrow, which was called "Shrovetide".
The description of the holiday in ancient cities and villages confirms that this day was filled with important events. Shrovetide was planted on a stake and put on public display in the central square. Children collected dry branches, the remains of straw, old rags and stacked all this in a heap, preparing a future bonfire for burning a scarecrow. Men built snowy cities, in which they then held funny battles. For children and adults, ice slides were built, ice rinks were poured, colorful carousels were installed.
For a week the Straw Shrovetide delighted and amused the people. The description of the holiday mentions crowded fairs, where there was a brisk trade in various goods and noisy shows with mummers were arranged. People were amused by jesters and buffoons who sang funny ditties and arranged funny pranks. Various competitions were organized for men, where they could measure their strength and show their youthful boldness. All the events of the first day emphasized the special joy of meeting an important event called Maslenitsa.
Description of the holiday for children is marked by special care for them. Sweet tables were prepared for the kids, where they were delighted with lollipops on a stick, sugar nuts and other sweets. In the square put up booths, where they gave puppet shows. Children created a small straw woman for their fun. She was put on a sled and carried around the village.
On the first day of the holiday, people began to walk around the guests. On the table, pancakes with various fillings must be exhibited. Particularly welcomed baking round shape: cheesecakes, bagels, rolls. In addition, the housewives must have cooked pancakes, potato pies with mushrooms, cottage cheese, cabbage. They treated dear guests with various nuts (pine, walnut, forest), fried seeds, and candies.
On the first day of Shrovetide, a mother-in-law came to the newlyweds to teach the children how to cook pancakes correctly. According to custom, the first baked pancake was given to poor or blessed people to commemorate the dead.
Day Two - Flirtation
The name of Tuesday speaks of his special cheerful mood. In the morning, young people treated themselves to pancakes, rode on merry-go-rounds and ice slides. The boys flirted with the girls, looking for future brides among themselves. Horseback riding was very popular, therefore wealthy grooms especially by this time acquired painted sledges, on which their chosen ones were taken.
The festivities on the Meat Week were called Pancake Weeks. They hosted a wide variety of amusements and fun: snow battles, taking a snow town, wrestling, bear shows, jumping over a fire, skiing down the hill.
Day Three - Gourmet
Wednesday ended Narrow Shrovetide. The description of the holiday on this day speaks of its special significance in maintaining family relations. Adult children came to visit their parents, gave them presents and congratulated them on the holiday. Each mother-in-law at Lakomka cooked pancakes according to her special signature recipe and treated them to her dear son-in-law. In addition, the tables were crammed with all kinds of food, which was also treated to relatives and close friends. Since then, kindred trips to Shrovetide began to be called a visit "to mother-in-law for pancakes."
There are many comic songs, proverbs and sayings related to the Gourmand, which speak of the relations of close relatives: "son-in-law in the yard - pie on the table"; "son-in-law on the threshold - mother-in-law for eggs"; "come in-law, where to get sour cream?" The holiday was especially costly for those families where many daughters grew up. From here came the saying: "at least lay everything on your own, but spend Shrovetide!"
Day Four - Take a Walk
Wide Shrovetide. The description of the days of the holiday week continues on Thursday, in which a wide revelry tripled. The people indulged in all kinds of pleasures with special force. In the streets they drove a stuffed animal on a wheel, sang, had fun and arranged horseback riding. It was believed that custom helps the sun spend its winter faster. As a sign of this, young people rode in triples around the village, moving clockwise.
That was Shrovetide. The description of the holiday with pictures suggests that the fourth day was a turning point in the Pancake week, so the festivities were stormy and lasted until late in the evening. Children went home and caroling. Men on Razgulay arranged a battle in a snowy town, and also measured their strength in fist fights or walked "wall to wall." Girls arranged dances, performed round dances, sang mischievous ditties. On this day, for couples in love it was not considered shameful to kiss in front of everyone. And especially shy could just throw snowballs. And, of course, they continued to cook countless pancakes and treat them to each other.
Day Five - Mother-in-law's Evenings
On Friday mother-in-law came to their daughters and sons-in-law, making a return visit to them. Guests were greeted with special respect and respect. The sons-in-law treated the wife's relatives with hot pancakes and rendered them all kinds of honors. On this day, not just feasts took place, but spiritual conversations in which the older generation gave advice to the young, enlightened and admonished them.
The description of Shrovetide will be incomplete if you do not talk about how you prepared for your mother-in-law's evenings. When the son-in-law forgot to call the mother-in-law to visit, she could be offended for life. The ritual was that after the invitation, every mother-in-law sent her son-in-law kitchen utensils to the house the night before: pans, bowls and other utensils for baking pancakes. Products came from the father-in-law, from which the son-in-law would be able to knead the dough. On Friday morning, a messenger was sent to the mother-in-law's house with a reminder that they were waiting for a visit. On the day of mother-in-law's evening, all shops and workshops were closed, and classes were canceled in schools.
Sixth day - Zolovkin gatherings
On Saturday, a young daughter-in-law invited her sister-in-law's sister-in-law to visit. Married friends and young women also came into the house. The hostess set a festive table for her friends and gave gifts to the sister-in-law. Women's gatherings were a good occasion to exchange news and gossip on various topics.
On the sixth day of Maslenitsa, a festive revelry and a feast continued. One of the main entertainments was trotting and riding on painted triples.
Seventh Day - Forgiveness Resurrection
On Sunday, the main rite was performed, which was followed by Shrovetide - burning a scarecrow. The straw woman was first rolled around the village, and then taken out to the outskirts, where they were set on fire. When the doll burned down, the youth began to jump over the fire. In addition to firewood, old things were thrown into the fire, for example, a wooden wheel. It symbolized the sun, which was approaching the fast spring.
In some villages Maslenitsa was drowned in an ice-hole or torn into pieces, and the remains were scattered around the village. Sometimes instead of a straw scarecrow, an old woman or an old man was chosen by Shrovetide. They were dressed in a festive attire, carried on a sleigh in the village, and then dumped in the snow.
The ritual destruction of the straw doll symbolized farewell to Shrovetide and the resurrection of its strength with the onset of spring in the sprouted grains of bread. On the last day of Shrovetide it was allowed to drink alcohol and have fun until night. Sunday concluded the national weekly celebration. On the last day of the week on the eve of Great Lent, everyone asked each other for forgiveness, thereby freeing their soul from sins. To completely repent, it was decided after burning the stuffed go to the steam bath.
How is Shrovetide celebrated today?
The ancient pagan holiday has preserved its traditions to this day. In honor of the holiday, carnival processions with mummified heroes, masquerades and fireworks are held in many Russian cities. Pancake week venues with a stage, attractions and places for selling souvenirs and festive food are arranged for guests.
In Shrovetide week, it is customary to devote more time to your family, visit relatives and receive guests at home. On Forgiveness Sunday, all Orthodox people repent of their sins and show mercy to others.
Particularly welcomed the participation of children and adolescents in a fun holiday called Maslenitsa. Description for children of the history of the holiday and its traditions that have survived to this day gives the younger generation useful knowledge about their people. The popularization of Cheese Week includes the mandatory participation of families with children in city events. For kids, kindergartens and schools set a colorful scarecrow of Shrovetide and arrange collective farewells to winter. Numerous workshops on the preparation of a variety of pancakes with the indispensable participation of children teach them to work and tell what Shrovetide is. Description for children of the scenarios of the holiday includes contests for knowledge of traditions, proverbs and sayings associated with Shrovetide. There are also many different contests, games and games with compulsory rewards and gifts. All this enriches children with new knowledge and helps organize cultural activities.
How is Shrovetide celebrated in other countries?
Shrovetide is not only a celebration of the Slavs, it has long been celebrated in many European countries. The festive week marks the arrival of spring and takes place in the form of a carnival. At this time, quarrels and feuds cease, reigns fun, laughter and good mood.
In Scotland, it is customary to bake round lean flat cakes on Shrovetide - an analogue of Russian pancakes. This event in the house was treated very responsibly and attracted all family members to participate in it. Each had a separate role: knead the dough, grease the pan with butter, rotate the cakes, stack them in piles.
In England, Maslenitsa is also widely and merrily celebrated. The description of the holiday in English tells of an interesting tradition of organizing pancake running competitions. They are attended only by women who, at the signal of the bell, run while holding a hot pan with pancake in their hands. Each participant must be over 18 years old and dressed in a scarf and kitchen apron. The most difficult thing in the competition is that during the run you need to throw a pancake three times in a pan and catch it. The participant, who came to the finish line first, passes her pancake to the ringer, receiving a kiss from him.
In Russia, the main characters of the holiday were newlyweds. It was considered very successful to marry at Pancake Week. And in some European countries, the main focus is on single people. In Poland, young girls invite guys to visit, treat them with pancakes. Instead of gratitude, young guys turn their heads, and girls can pull them by the hair.
In the Czech Republic, the holiday begins on January 6, reaching its peak in the last week before the Fast. In the villages, young guys smear their faces with soot and, singing funny songs, go around the whole village. They take with them a motley wooden block - a clutch, which they put on the girls on the neck or tie it to the hand. To pay off the harassment of the suitors, the girl must pay them.
In France, the second day of the week is called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Its story is connected with a beautiful ancient legend about the beautiful girl Rose, who was saved from the hands of the devil by the brave guy Gabrielle. The holiday is accompanied by eating pancakes and a fun carnival, which should end at exactly midnight.
In Greece, Shrovetide is called Apocries, which means "without meat." The celebration lasts for three whole weeks and includes the obligatory tradition of roasting a pig on a fire. An indispensable attribute of the holiday is also a carnival costume procession with fun songs and games.
In Germany, it’s customary to cook pancakes, pancakes and grilled sausages on Maslenitsa. During carnival processions, people dress up in costumes of witches, devils, forest spirits, jesters and various fairy-tale characters. In Holland and Belgium, a festive carnival lasts three days. These days, they treat themselves to pancakes with bacon, pancakes and fried donuts.