SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3375, 2 January 1920, Page 6

SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS.

Bojich, meaning “the little God,” is the Serbian word for Christmas, the celebration of which harks back to pagan days, when the ‘people worshipped the sun god Daybog. Their New Ymr began when the “sun hvavg ng gone far enough over the snow plains of winter tm'n:‘l a-gain toward the green fields of summ-sr.” which was about the last of December. -Roast pig, having been a sun god sacrifice in days pastgis served as the dish of honour on the home holiday tables, though for the past five years the unfortunate Serbians have had to forpego/all luxuries in their struggle for liberty and the bare necessities of life. B'adnyi Dan, the day before Christmas, is the day of the Badnyak, or yulc log cutting, which is performed with great ceremony. The young men of the various households go to the woods -and cut thclogs, after careful selection. Three are cut of difl’er.ent lengths for each" home, and‘ they are left. in the yard, with a bundle of clean straw, until evening, when. cooking and other preparations] for the holiday are completed. Then they are placed, ‘the longest to err: tend well over the hearth, “the. end being lightly smeared witth honey,‘ in readiness .‘for the ceremony of -‘blessing -the house, cattle, bee-hives, God- Before the hogs are placed the tree of the forest as -the free gift of God. Before the logs are placed the mother breaks a- “Pogaeha” cake‘ on the log for -good luck. The mother‘ then carries the- straw, the chil-i (lren in single file, walk behind her, and as she scatters it over the floor she cries “quock, quock,” while the children answer like little chickens. When the straw is‘ scattered she throws three or four walnuts in each corner in the name of the “Father, Son, and Holy, Ghost,” for continued care and prosperity during the_ coming year. Sacking is ‘then placed over the straw and the supper served on it, the family sitting on the floor to express humility and obedience." The supper is of fish, as it is the last sacrificial meal before the festival. The family 'rises.'at dawn, '-the pig is prepared for roasting, the well is blessed and the first two cups of water drawn are usedgin the making of “Chesnitsa_.” the partition cake, in which a lucky will iS.bake<l. Then comes the POl- - theh special Christmas visitor. He carries a woollen glove filled with wheat in his hand, and, after he blesses ’_tlle__home and all its interests, scatters the wheat, kisses the Bad--nyck, ‘then he turns to si{”*down :2. :1 wooden chair. The chair is£Snaf(-'_ll.3d from under him, '3;n‘d as he sits on the floor the blessings are driven home, if is believed! _ He is then wrapped in a blanket. to ensure plenty of cream for the year, -after which he is ‘tl-e-_ited to liolid-aiy punch. The dinner is the next ‘excitement, 'a'ft(‘r wllich family kiss and embrace one another and drink a toast to the “glory of God.”