SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 78, 27 December 1919, Page 4

SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS

Bojich. meaning "the little God," is tho Serbian word for Christmas, tho celebration of which harks back to pagan | days when the people worshipped tho giti\ god Davbag. Thoir New Year began when the "sun having gone far enough over the snow pla'ns of winter turned again toward the green fields of slii'lmcr," which was about the last of December. Boast pig, having been a sun god sacrifice in days past, is served as (ho dish of honour 011 the home holiday tables, though for tho past five years the unfortunate Serbians have had to forego all luxuries in their struggle for liberty and the bara necessities of life. Badn.vi Dan, tlio day More Christmas, is the day of the Badnyak. or yulo log cutting, which is performed w'.tli great cereinony. The young men of the vavi * ous households go to the woods au<l out Iho logs, after selection. 'Iliree tire cut of different lengths for each home, and they are left in tho yard, with a bundle of cleaii straw, until evening, when cooking and other .preparations for tho holiday are completed, then they arc placod, 111- -1 longest to extend well out over tho henrili, tho end being lightly smeared with honey, in readiness for the ceremony o_f blessing the house, cattle, "bee-hives, pastures, . and flocks, and kissing tho tree of the forest as the free .gift of God. Before the logs are placed (he mother breaks a "Bogaclia rake on tho log for good luck Hie mother then carries in the straw, the children, in single file, walk behind her, and as she scatters it over thi> floor she cries "quock, ouock," while the children answer like little olr'ckons. When the straw is scattered slio throws three or four walnuts in each corner in the name of the "Father, fion, and llolv Ghost," for continued care oiid prosperity during the coming year. Sacking is then p'aced over tho straw and the supper served on it. the family silting on the floor to express humility and ob'dienee. The supper is of fish, as it is the last sacrificial meal before the festival. Tho family rise? «t dawn, the p'g- is prepared for roasting, the well is blo'wd and the first two cups of water drawn arc used in the making of "Che.snifsa." Iho partition cake, in which a lucky coin -'a baked. Then comes tho I'olznik. the special Christmas visitor. Fo carrier a wooden friovc filled with wheat in his hand, and, after he blesspe the home and all its interest=, scatters the wheat, kisses the Budnysk; then lie turn® to sil: down in a wooden chair. The chair' is snatched from wider h'm. and as he sits on the door thp ble--«'m;s are driven home, it is lvlievod! He is then wrkpped in a blanket, to ensure plpntv of heavy cream for the year, after which he is treated to halidav punch. The djnner •> Hie next excitement, after which the fa'mily kiss and embrace one another and drink a toast to the 'Viory of God."