In Russia, farewell to winter is a special event that is celebrated in a big way, with games, songs and dances. Usually, the end of winter takes place in late February or early March, or rather, this is the eighth week before Easter.
This holiday is called Maslenitsa. Maslenitsa - one of the oldest and most beloved folk holidays in Russia. Its history goes back to ancient times, associated with the pagan rite of seeing off winter and meeting spring. Winter with its severe cold and snows is leaving, spring comes with warmth, sun and budding trees.
The traditions of Maslenitsa are associated with the rite of worship of the sun, nature and fertility. The main symbols of the holiday are the sun, fire, spring flowers, pancakes, a straw scarecrow and much more.
History.
Before the Baptism of Russia, Maslenitsa was celebrated for 2 weeks - during the 7 days preceding the Vernal equinox and 7 days after it.
The Christian Church left the main celebration of Spring in order not to conflict with the traditions of the Russian people (similarly, Christmas was timed to coincide with the Winter Solstice), but shifted the people's favorite holiday of seeing off winter in time so that it did not contradict Lent, and shortened the holiday period to 7 days.
People have always perceived spring as the beginning of a new life and revered the Sun, which gives life and strength to all living things. In honor of the Sun, unleavened tortillas were first baked, and when they learned how to cook sourdough dough, they began to bake pancakes.
Among the people, every day of Maslenitsa has its own name and meaning:
- Monday - Meeting day.
On this day, an effigy was made of straw, old women's clothes were put on it, this effigy was impaled on a pole and carried around the village singing on a sleigh. Then Maslenitsa was staged on a snowy mountain, where sledding began.
Rich people started baking pancakes on Monday, poor people started baking pancakes on Thursday or Friday.
- Tuesday - Game day.
From that day on, various entertainments began: sleigh rides, folk festivals, performances. On the streets there were large groups of masked mummers driving around familiar houses, where fun home concerts were improvised. They rode in large companies around the city on a vehicle called troika, run by three horses.
- Wednesday - Treat day.
In each family, tables were set with delicious food, pancakes were baked, beer was brewed in the villages. Stalls appeared everywhere. They sold hot sbitni (a drink made of water, honey and spices), red-hot nuts, honey cakes. Here, right in the open air, you could drink tea from a boiling samovar.
- Thursday - Revelry day.
This day was the revelry of games and fun. Perhaps it was then that the thrilling Maslenitsa fist fights took place.
- Friday - Mother-in-law's Evening.
The mothers-in-law fed the sons-in-law pancakes on Wednesday, and now the sons-in-law invited them to visit! After all, on Friday, it was their turn to treat the mothers of their wives with pancakes and sweets.
- Saturday — Sister-in-law's gatherings.
On Saturday, at the sister-in-law's gatherings, the young daughter-in-law invited her husband's relatives to visit her.
- Sunday - Forgiveness Day.
The last day of the holiday is considered to be the "Forgiveness Sunday".
Forgiveness Sunday is not allowed to drink alcohol, quarrel, swear and hard work. During the day, people went to the bathhouse, and in the evenings they came to the square, where a scarecrow of Maslenitsa was solemnly burned.This rite symbolizes purification from negative energies and renewal of nature.
Close people asked each other for forgiveness for all the insults and troubles caused to them; in the evenings it was customary to visit cemeteries and “say goodbye” to the dead. Also, on this day, people were preparing for Lent.
Pancakes.
During Maslenitsa, pancakes are baked and eaten - a symbol of the sun and renewal. There are many recipes for pancakes - with butter, honey, condensed milk, their fillings of cottage cheese, meat, mushrooms, etc. Traditionally, on the last day of Maslenitsa, called "Forgiveness Sunday", there should be 7 types of pancakes on the table.
The ancients considered the pancake a symbol of the Sun, because, like the Sun, it is yellow, round and hot, and believed that together with the pancake they eat a piece of its warmth and power.
Previously, this treat was baked to commemorate the dead, then it began to symbolize the sun. Now they also bake pancakes to commemorate their ancestors, but on Maslenitsa for most it's just a delicious treat.
What not to do during Maslenitsa?
On Maslenitsa week, you can't swear or get angry. In addition, after Maslenitsa, Orthodox Christians will have Great Lent, which must begin with pure thoughts.
Since one of the main Maslenitsa traditions is meeting guests, there should be clean at home. You can't sit at home and be sad — earlier on the fourth day it was literally forbidden to be discouraged and not celebrate with the people. It was believed that this way a person brings troubles and hardships on himself for the whole year ahead.
It is also not worth cutting pancakes with a knife, it is better to eat them with your hands. According to beliefs, sharp objects can cause trouble, because pancakes are a symbol of the sun and goodness, and a knife, roughly speaking, cuts this good and bright.