I remember celebrating this festival as a child in Poland. It would have been 1986/7?? Our teacher got us to build a clothed effigy of Marzanna (in modern false etymology the name means "frozen Annie" or ambigously "March Annie"). She was carried at the head of a procession downriver to the last bridge out of town. She was set on fire and once going thrown into the water to float with the current. Which needed helping along because there was still so much frozen ice that hadn't melted yet.
There is a whole load of pagan celebrations that have survived in national folklores in Eastern Europe besides Marzanna herself. Smigus Dyngus is the funnest, my family have celebrated this in Aus but it sadly hasn't caught on yet.
I love this Fredro, what lovely memories!! Smigus Dyngus sounds like so much fun. I've noted it down to make sure I include it in my notes and eventually, (hopefully) my book. Wouldn't it be fun to celebrate it more widely here in Australia. I might include Smigus Dyngus in the 'Oestre' - Spring Equinox celebrations for Australia. Thanks for mentioning it!
Don't just write about Smigus, celebrate it! My mum used to wake me up by pouring a glass of water on my head. The other one I have memories of from childhood is Andrzejki. I did the pouring of the wax through a key eyelet although the true purpose was for girls to determine their future husband. Dziady was the really serious one for adults but that one isn't really observed as such other than as an academic interest.
I will add Smigus fun as part of my Oestre celebrations at the Spring Equinox! The wax pouring and Andrzejki is so interesting. I'll try and find an old key so I can do that too. I've never heard of Dziady but after doing research, it's very similar to the old traditions of Sahmain/Halloween. It is Lughnasadh tomorrow (first harvest/harvest of the grains). I'm trying to find some harvested wheat or other grains so I can make a 'corn dolly', but I'm not having much luck. I'll have to make a corn husk doll instead. Next year I'll grown my own. Thanks for sharing your seasonal traditions!
I remember celebrating this festival as a child in Poland. It would have been 1986/7?? Our teacher got us to build a clothed effigy of Marzanna (in modern false etymology the name means "frozen Annie" or ambigously "March Annie"). She was carried at the head of a procession downriver to the last bridge out of town. She was set on fire and once going thrown into the water to float with the current. Which needed helping along because there was still so much frozen ice that hadn't melted yet.
There is a whole load of pagan celebrations that have survived in national folklores in Eastern Europe besides Marzanna herself. Smigus Dyngus is the funnest, my family have celebrated this in Aus but it sadly hasn't caught on yet.
I love this Fredro, what lovely memories!! Smigus Dyngus sounds like so much fun. I've noted it down to make sure I include it in my notes and eventually, (hopefully) my book. Wouldn't it be fun to celebrate it more widely here in Australia. I might include Smigus Dyngus in the 'Oestre' - Spring Equinox celebrations for Australia. Thanks for mentioning it!
Don't just write about Smigus, celebrate it! My mum used to wake me up by pouring a glass of water on my head. The other one I have memories of from childhood is Andrzejki. I did the pouring of the wax through a key eyelet although the true purpose was for girls to determine their future husband. Dziady was the really serious one for adults but that one isn't really observed as such other than as an academic interest.
I will add Smigus fun as part of my Oestre celebrations at the Spring Equinox! The wax pouring and Andrzejki is so interesting. I'll try and find an old key so I can do that too. I've never heard of Dziady but after doing research, it's very similar to the old traditions of Sahmain/Halloween. It is Lughnasadh tomorrow (first harvest/harvest of the grains). I'm trying to find some harvested wheat or other grains so I can make a 'corn dolly', but I'm not having much luck. I'll have to make a corn husk doll instead. Next year I'll grown my own. Thanks for sharing your seasonal traditions!