Rituals and customs are part of the culture of every people, be it a huge nation or a small community. They accompany us throughout our lives. Some of them go back centuries, and we forget them or don’t know about them at all. Others continue to exist. We invite you to get acquainted with autumn rituals, the history of their origin and essence. Traditions associated with the onset of autumn different countries interesting and varied.
Autumn is a time of holidays
Since ancient times, time for various celebrations it was autumn. For example, ceremonies and rituals on the day of the autumn equinox are varied and numerous. Why did this happen? The fact is that the time for farming was ending, everyone was harvesting and preparing for winter. The majority of the population in those days were peasants, so seasonality had a significant impact on their way of life. Full bins and free time gave people the opportunity to relax.
Harvest Festival in Israel
Mostly people celebrated the Harvest Festival. So, in Israel, Sukkot takes place on September 19th. On this day, Jews perform the ritual of raising the lulav. Lulava consists of four plants - myrtle, willow, date palm leaf, etrog. Each of these plants symbolizes a person. Thus, the etrog symbolizes people who do good deeds, and the willow symbolizes people who do not know how to do good. The combination of these plants suggests that everyone should help the other, teach him the right way to live. The holiday lasts seven days. On the eighth day they read a prayer for the granting of the harvest for the next year.
Korean autumn traditions
The harvest is called Chuseok. It lasts three days. An interesting point: all people try to go to their native places for these three days. On Chuseok, every family worships their ancestors, and after this ritual they are treated to festive dishes from the sacrificial table. Then everyone goes to the graves of relatives to honor their memory.
Wine harvest
In Europe, grape harvest holidays are considered traditional. Thus, in Switzerland in mid-September there is a festival of young wine. About one hundred and fifty varieties of wines are sent here from all over the country. Various shows, dances, and concerts take place these days.
Autumn holidays among the Slavs
Autumn holidays among the Slavs often have pagan and Orthodox roots. The most famous were Obzhinki or Dozhinki (among Belarusians). In the nineteenth century, this holiday was celebrated everywhere among the Slavs, only in different time, mainly depending on the climate. Thus, among the Eastern Slavs, the mentioned holiday coincided with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, and in Siberia - with the holiday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
On this day, people performed several autumn rituals. For example, the last sheaf was reaped in silence, and then the women rolled through the stubble with certain words-songs. Several ears of grain, twisted into a beard, were left on the field. This ritual was called “beard curling.”
Traditions and rituals of autumn in Rus'
The first of September in Rus' was called Indian summer; in some areas the countdown was from September 8th. Already somewhere from Ilyin's day, and somewhere from Uspenev, autumn round dances began in many settlements. It is worth noting that the round dance is the most ancient of the dances of the Russian people, and is rooted in the rites of worship of the Sun God. Round dance in Rus' was of great importance. This dance reflected the three eras of the year: spring, summer, autumn.
One of the Russian autumn rituals is a round dance called “brew beer.” Young women went out into the street and treated everyone to home brew, then stood up in a round dance and pretended to be drunk. At the end, all the girls were treated to home brew.
On Semyonov Day - the first of September - they mounted a horse. In each family, the first-born was seated on a horse. In addition, on this same day, for 400 years, they celebrated New Year. It was abolished only in 1700 by decree of Peter 1.
And on September 14, Osenins began to be celebrated in Rus'. People thanked Mother Earth for the rich harvest. They renewed the fire, extinguished the old one, and started a new one. From that time on, all activities in the field ended and work began in the house, in the yard, and in the garden. In the houses on the First Autumn they covered festive table, brewed beer and slaughtered a sheep. A cake was baked from the new flour.
September 21 - Second Autumn. On the same day they celebrated the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. September 23 - Peter and Pavel Ryabinnik. On this day, rowan berries were collected for compote and kvass. The windows were decorated with bunches of rowan berries; it was believed that they would protect the house from all evil spirits.
Third Autumn - September 27. In another way, this day was called the snake holiday. According to legends, all birds and snakes moved to another country on this day. They conveyed requests to the deceased. On this day we did not go into the forest, because it was believed that a snake could drag us away.
Autumn traditions among Belarusians
Autumn holidays among Belarusians are similar to autumn rituals and holidays among other Slavic peoples. For a long time in Belarus they celebrated the end of the harvest. This holiday was called dozhinki. One of the main autumn rituals was held on Dozhinki. The last sheaf was entwined with flowers and dressed in women's dress, after which they were taken to the village and left until the next harvest. Now Dozhinki is a holiday of national significance.
Similarly, the Osenins in Belarus celebrated the harvest festival - the rich man. The symbol of the holiday was a popular print with grain and a candle inside. The “rich man” was in one of the houses of the village, where a priest was invited to conduct a prayer service. Afterwards, the popular print with a lit candle was carried through the entire village.
An equally famous ritual holiday of late autumn in Belarus is Dziady. This holiday of remembrance of ancestors falls on November 1-2. Dziady means “grandfathers”, “ancestors”. Before Dzyady they washed in the bathhouse and cleaned the house. A bucket of water was left in the bathhouse clean water and a broom for the souls of ancestors. The whole family gathered for dinner that day. Various dishes were prepared, and before dinner the doors were opened in the house so that the souls of the dead could enter.
At dinner they did not say unnecessary words, behaved humbly, remembered only good things about their ancestors, and remembered the dead. Dziady was given to the beggars who walked around the villages.
Autumn equinox. Rituals and rituals in different countries of the world
The autumnal equinox falls on September 22, sometimes 23. Day and night at this time become equal. Many peoples attached mystical significance to this day. Traditions, celebrations and rituals on the Autumn Equinox Day are commonplace.
In some countries it is a public holiday, such as Japan. Here, according to tradition, ancestors are remembered on this day. Conduct ancient rite Buddhist holiday Higan. On this day, the Japanese prepare food only from plant ingredients: beans, vegetables. They make pilgrimages to the graves of their ancestors and worship them.
In Mexico, on the day of the autumn equinox, people go to the The object is designed so that on the days of the equinox, the sun's rays create triangles of light and shadow on the pyramid. The lower the sun, the more distinct the contours of the shadow; they resemble a snake in shape. This illusion lasts a little more than three hours, during which time you need to make a wish.
Autumn equinox among the Slavs
The autumn equinox was one of the main holidays among the Slavs. It had different names: Tausen, Ovsen, Radogoshch. Rituals and rituals were also performed in different places.
Ovsen is the name of a deity in mythology who was responsible for the change of seasons, so in the fall he was thanked for fruits and harvests. They celebrated the day of the autumn equinox (with ceremonies and rituals) for two weeks. The main holiday drink was honey, made from fresh hops. Pies with meat, cabbage, and lingonberries are the main delicacy on the table.
The ritual for the autumn equinox was the farewell of the goddess Zhiva to Svarga - the heavenly kingdom, which was closed in the winter. On the day of the equinox, the Slavs also revered the goddess Lada. She was the patroness of weddings. And weddings were most often celebrated after the completion of field work.
On the day of the autumn equinox, special autumn events were held folk rituals. To attract good luck and happiness, they baked pies with cabbage and round apples. If the dough rose quickly, it means that the financial situation should improve next year.
On this day, all old things were taken out into the yard and burned.
Special rituals for the autumn equinox were performed with water. She was believed to have special powers. We washed ourselves morning and evening with the belief that water would keep children healthy and women attractive.
Our ancestors often used trees in autumn rituals and holidays. So, they protected the house and themselves with rowan branches. It was believed that rowan, picked on this day, has enormous energy and will not let evil into the house. The girls used walnut branches. They put a second pillow on the bed in order to get married sooner, they burned nut branches, and scattered the ashes on the street. The clusters of rowan trees were used to judge winter. The more berries, the harsher the winter.
Special autumn rite in Rus' there was a sacrifice. In gratitude for a good harvest in pagan times, the Slavs sacrificed the largest animal to Veles. This was done before the harvest. After the sacrifice, the sheaves were tied up and the “grandmothers” were placed. Afterwards a rich table was set.
Orthodox autumn holidays, traditions, rituals
Most big celebration- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 21). The holiday coincided with the second autumn.
September 27 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the 4th century, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great found the Cross and the Holy Sepulcher. Many then wanted to see this miracle. This is how the Feast of the Exaltation was established. From this day we began harvesting cabbage for the winter. And young boys and girls gathered for cabbage parties. The table was set, the guys looked after the brides.
October 14 - Intercession of the Virgin Mary. The holiday was established by Andrei Bogolyubsky. In Rus' they believed that the Mother of God took Rus' under her protection, so they always relied on her protection and mercy. At this time, they were finishing work in the field and collecting the last fruits. In Pokrov, women made ten-handed dolls, which, it was believed, were supposed to help around the house, since the woman did not have time to do everything.
On the third day of November they celebrated "Kazanskaya". This is the Mother of God.
Autumn signs in Rus'
September 11 - Ivan Poletny, Poletovshchik. A day later they began to pull out root crops and dig up potatoes.
September 24 - Fedora-Ripped off. Two Fedoras up the mountain - one autumn, one winter, one with mud, the other with cold.
October 1 is crane summer. It was believed that if the cranes flew on this day, then there would be the first frost on Pokrov. If not, you shouldn’t expect frost before November 1st.
November 14 - Kuzminki. On Kuzminki they celebrated the rooster's name day. The girls had a feast-conversation and invited the guys.
On this day, a ritual called “the wedding and funeral of Kuzma-Demyan” was performed. The girls made a stuffed animal out of straw, dressed it up as a guy and held a comic wedding. They sat this scarecrow in the middle of the hut and “married” it to some girl, then they took it into the forest, burned it and danced on it. We made dolls Kuzma and Demyan. They were considered guardians family hearth, patrons of women's handicrafts.
A deer roars at dawn in autumn Richmond Park on October 10, 2015 in London, England. Autumn is the beginning of the rut for deer, who roar in an attempt to attract a mate.
Ivan Scott from Ireland shears sheep on a farm near Bern, October 10, 2015. Scott visits Switzerland in the fall to shear sheep on farms throughout the country.
Newlyweds in the autumn forest. None wedding ceremony is not complete without a wedding photographer and videographer, who will help preserve the most memorable memories for a long time. bright moments of your life. The website http://fotovideo-msk.ru presents many beautiful photographs taken with soul. In addition, the wedding photographer will create a personal design for you. wedding photo book, which is so nice to show to friends at home or at work.
A man in a suit polar bear buys apples from the autumn harvest at the market. Minsk, September 22, 2015.
A boy plays with autumn leaves on a parked car in Krasnoyarsk, October 6, 2015.
In autumn people buy potatoes. Minsk, September 22, 2015.
A woman walks along a sidewalk covered with autumn leaves in the center of Minsk on October 3, 2015.
Autumn leaf on a wet car windshield in Munich, Germany.
A little polar bear cub plays with his mother on a rainy autumn day at a zoo, Germany.
Autumn forest near the southern German city of Berchtesgaden, October 2, 2015.
Prince von Pückler-Muskau Park in autumn September 25, 2015, near Cottbus, eastern Germany. Count Hermann Ludwig Heinrich von Pueckler-Muskau, a German nobleman known for his passion for landscaping, is buried in the depths of a pyramid that is reflected in an autumn lake.
An autumn maple leaf lies on the grass in a park in the city of Frankfurt an der Oder, eastern Germany.
Two swans swim in the autumn on the Spree River in Berlin, October 2, 2015.
A child jumps over his luggage at Hongqiao Station, Shanghai, while waiting for the train to depart for the celebration. Chinese holiday autumn in Hefei, Anhui province, September 29, 2015.
Children sit on the roof of a police car and watch fireworks set off to celebrate the Autumn Festival in China, October 3, 2015.
A restaurant worker cleans an alley under hanging lanterns ahead of the Autumn Festival in Beijing. As a symbol of good luck, red lanterns hang throughout the city.
Two schoolchildren play next to large decorative lanterns lit to celebrate the Autumn Festival in Hong Kong on September 29, 2015.
The Fire Dragon Dance is held in Hong Kong during the Autumn Festival. This ritual began over a hundred years ago and was performed to ward off all bad luck from a fishing village that was suffering from plague after a typhoon.
The child throws autumn leaves into the air at the Mariendaal estate in Arnhem (a city in the Netherlands).
A farmer drives a herd of cows to the annual traditional parade on September 29, 2015, which commemorates the descent of cattle from summer pastures to the Alpine valleys in early autumn. Switzerland.
A farmer made this decoration to decorate one of his cows in honor of the autumn festival dedicated to cattle, which these days are brought down from the summer pastures of Switzerland to the Alpine valleys at the beginning of autumn.
Ladybugs walk on Burgundy grapes during harvest in a vineyard in Germany on September 19, 2015. Harvesting begins in early autumn.
Dancers attend a celebration to celebrate the autumn harvest in the village of Aliman, 240 kilometers east of Bucharest, September 28, 2015.
Girls crush grapes, which will later be used to make wine, in a large wooden container during the autumn harvest celebration in the village of Aliman.
People try to take cover at a bus stop in Dusseldorf, West Germany, September 24, 2015. Autumn brought chilly rains and strong winds to the region.
The Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station and dam are surrounded by colorful autumn foliage in the Siberian taiga, 45 km (28 miles) south of the city of Krasnoyarsk, September 22, 2015. The dam and power plant on the Yenisei River is one of the largest projects, the construction of which was completed in 1972.
A butterfly unfurls its wings on the last sunny day of autumn in a garden in Frankfurt an der Oder, eastern Germany, September 20, 2015. Meteorologists predict a drop in temperature and rain - everything that is inherent in real autumn.
Corn cobs that were collected in the fall from a corn field on a farm on the outskirts of Kaesong, North Korea. It has been a difficult year for North Korean farmers, who have endured drought in the spring and heavy rains and typhoons in the summer.
Visitors at the annual festival discuss and choose the most beautiful flower autumn. England, September 14, 2015.
Peter Glazebrook from Newark grew a giant onion, breaking his world record last year. Newark is a city in the eastern United States, the largest city in the state of New Jersey. Peter won a great competition with his bow during the Autumn Festival at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
People all over the world know Easter, Christmas, and New Year. But there are other holidays that are, to put it mildly, a little unusual.
Every nation has its own colorful, interesting and unusual holidays. They were invented in different countries of the world in order to diversify people's lives and fill it with bright colors. Such holidays allow us not to forget about national traditions.
Below is short review the most unusual holidays, which are also widely celebrated, although not throughout the world.
Unusual holidays
1. Night of the Radish (Mexico)
The holiday is held annually on December 23 in the city of Oaxaca. The city is famous for its woodcarving masters. In 1889, farmers decided to try carving radish figures to attract buyers. And it worked. The festival lasts several hours, but attracts a large number of spectators and participants. Craftsmen cut out all kinds of figures of people, animals, and buildings from radishes.
The main theme of the festival is Christmas stories. Some sculptures weigh up to 3 kilograms and reach a length of 50 cm. The holiday program includes several competitions, during which the thickest, skinniest, longest and roundest radishes are chosen. The holiday is accompanied by cheerful music, dancing and the sale of delicious sweets.
2. Hangul Day (proclamation of the Korean alphabet)
October 9 at South Korea The day of the proclamation of the Korean alphabet is celebrated. It is worth clarifying that this day marks the creation and proclamation of the original alphabet of the Korean language (Hangul) by King Sejong the Great. In 1446, the ninth month after lunar calendar the king published a document introducing the new alphabet.
Until the 20th century, this language was used to a limited extent. But in the second half of the last century, Hangul became the main writing system in Korea. In 1991, the holiday lost its status public holiday, but remained national.
3. Lame Duck Day (USA)
On February 6, Americans celebrate Lame Duck Day. “Lame duck” is an informal nickname for presidents and politicians who lose another election but are forced to remain in office until the end of their term. The phrase appeared in American political jargon in the mid-19th century.
Also, lame ducks are sometimes called teachers in educational institutions or executives and managers of companies who are supposed to quit soon, but are still working out their last days at their jobs.
4. Cheng Chau Bung Festival (Hong Kong)
The Bun Festival is held on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This is one of the most vibrant traditional holidays in China. The holiday began to be celebrated about a century ago, when a plague epidemic hit the island. To appease the spirits, the local population set up an altar with offerings to the god Pak Tai and the plague receded. From then to this day, the island's residents have organized parades and celebrations.
The holiday begins when three 18-meter towers are lined up in front of the temple, which are completely covered with buns and pastries. People must collect as many buns as possible, the more baked goods a person collects from the towers, the luckier the next year will be.
5. Lammas Day
Lammas Day, celebrated in English-speaking countries of the northern hemisphere on August 1, has many names, but the most common is Lughnasad, which translates as "Lug's gathering" or "Lug's wedding." Lugh is one of the gods of the Celtic pantheon, the patron of agriculture and crafts.
The most important dish at Lammas is bread in all its variations, which residents bring to the local church. Fruits and nuts are also placed on the festive table. Several rituals are performed on this day, and afterwards residents prefer to continue the celebration in nature, if the weather permits.
6. Beer Day (Iceland)
If you are a beer lover, then you need to attend the Beer Festival on March 1st in Iceland. That day celebrates the adoption of the strong beer law, which has been in force since 1989. This act abolished Prohibition, which had been in force for 75 years.
The most important thing on this day is to drink as much beer as you can fit. On this day, most offices, institutions and banks work less, but this does not apply to drinking establishments.
7. Setsebun, bean throwing day (Japan)
Setsebun or bean scattering day is celebrated on the first day of spring, which falls on February 3-4 according to the Japanese calendar. On this day, people scatter beans (mame-maki ritual) in houses, streets and temples to drive away evil spirits and invite happiness into the home.
According to ancient legend, once an epidemic claimed many lives and evil spirits were to blame. It was possible to drive them away only with the help of roasted beans. This is where the mame-maki ritual was born to expel evil spirits and preserve well-being.
Holidays of the peoples of the world
8. Nenana Ice Lottery (Alaska)
The lottery takes place in the village of Nenana. This tradition began in 1917. The winter had been particularly long that year, and a group of railroad engineers began betting on the time when the ice on the Tanana River would begin to crack. IN next year several more people supported them and it became a tradition.
Lottery participants must guess the day and exact time breaking up ice on the river. A large tripod is installed on the ice, tied to a special clock on the shore. When the ice begins to melt and crack, the tripod falls into the water, thereby stopping the clock mechanism. The winner is announced. The biggest win was $303,895.
9. Nyepi Day (day of silence)
Nyepi or the Day of Silence in Bali is similar to the New Year, but is celebrated every spring on the night of the new moon. Thus, the date of the celebration changes every year. Nyepi is one of the most important holidays in the culture of the island, it is preceded by several ritual ceremonies, during which almost all the islanders participate. After the ceremonies. the next day at 6 am the entire island is plunged into peace and quiet. The point is to make the demons believe that the island is empty.
There is nothing working on the island except an ambulance. On this day, the police patrol the city to make sure that all citizens celebrate the New Year without lights, television, radio and noisy feasts, while thinking about what awaits them in the next year and what goals they set for themselves. Guests of the island must also obey the rules of Nyepi. The next day a fun carnival begins.
10. Tomatina
IN last week In August, the city of Buñol in eastern Spain hosts an annual tomato festival dedicated to the passing summer. This Spanish holiday features fireworks, music, dancing and free food. Distinctive feature festival that attracts crowds of tourists is the tomato battle of Tomatina (La Tomatina).
The history of the holiday dates back to 1945, when a group of friends staged a tomato duel on the square. Despite the authorities' attempts to ban the holiday, the festival is becoming more and more popular. And although the battle itself lasts about 1.5 hours, the consumption of tomatoes reaches 100 tons.
11. Festival of colors (Holi)
One of the most famous holidays Holi is the festival of colors in India. It marks the arrival of spring in Hinduism, and falls at the end of February - beginning of March. The festival is dedicated to Holika, the legendary sister of the mythical king Hiranyakasipu, who, on the orders of her brother, refused to kill the little prince Prahlad, who believed in Vishnu, and died in fire while saving the child.
On the first day of the festival, in the late afternoon, bonfires are lit in honor of Holika, symbolizing her burning. The second day (Dhalundi) of the festival is dedicated to paints: festival participants shower each other and everyone they meet with coloring powders and water. This tradition originates from the legends of the love of Krishna and Radha, whose face the young god painted with powder as a child. Holi is celebrated on a special scale in Indian villages around Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna.
12. Cooperschild cheese race
Held on the last Monday of May in Gloucester, England. Competitors climb a hill and, after a signal, rush after the rolling wheel of cheese. Whoever crosses the finish line and grabs the cheese first wins it as a prize. Despite the very high level of injuries, the festival attracts a huge number of tourists who want to take part.
The origin of the holiday is unknown, but the tradition of its celebration dates back about 200 years and is becoming more popular every year.
13. Monkey Banquet
The Monkey Banquet is one of the most unusual holidays in Thailand. Once a year since 1989, the Thais have hosted a feast for 600 invited primates, although many more come. On a huge 7-meter table, covered with a red tablecloth, you can find everything the monkey’s soul desires: all kinds of tropical fruits, vegetables and rice, 2 tons in total. You can even find soda and sweets there. In this way, the residents of the city of Lopburi thank the macaques for victories in past wars. According to legend, God Rama gave these lands to his to the best friend- to the monkey king Hanuman. It was the monkeys that helped the king save Rama’s wife, Sita, and defeat his enemies.
The holiday begins on the last Sunday of November at the ruins of an ancient temple. The governor gives a celebratory speech to the primates. There are a great many of them there. Then real invitations tied to cashew nuts are handed out. A few bold males appear first, then all the other members of the pack. Crowds of tourists and locals try to capture this feast on camera. Well-fed and cheerful monkeys even allow themselves to be stroked. 
Hundreds of holidays are celebrated annually around the world, preserving ancient traditions and distinguished by their originality. Gone are the days of bloody sacrifices. They were replaced by harmless offerings to gods and idols in the form of fruits, dances and songs. Many of them will seem strange, but they are all worth visiting and forming your own opinion.
Crimson colors of autumn... And gray, cloudy weather, lower temperatures, cold winds, and even rain. What is there to celebrate, you ask? It turns out that there is something to celebrate; autumn is not only rich in crimson colors, but also in holidays. And the autumn holidays of the world are just as bright, extravagant, emotionally rich, like autumn itself. Take, for example, the Japanese holiday Momiji - admiring red leaves.
Japanese holiday Momiji, or Admiring the red leaves
The Japanese tradition of admiring cherry blossoms has been known in the world for a long time; this happens every year in the spring. But a resourceful person will always find something to admire in order to get a charge of positive emotions. The Japanese are a resourceful nation, and in the fall many begin the “momiji hunt,” as they call it there. Hunting means observing the red leaves of the native maple, momiji, which grows throughout the country. And since the country is very elongated, autumn, and with it the red color of maple leaves, moves from the northern regions very gradually.
So you can “hunt for red leaves” during several autumn months, usually October-November. This is called “momiji-gari” and from our point of view it looks like a picnic, no pomp. People simply relax in nature, perhaps with treats or even small libations.
The holiday, symbolizing the victory of good, is celebrated not only in India itself, but wherever there are Indian communities. That is, not only does it not matter what religion a person professes, but even nationality does not play a role. If you come from India and belong to the Indian community, then this is your holiday. However, the idea of the holiday - victory over evil - is important for everyone, so Diwali, or the festival of light and fire, is celebrated by everyone with pleasure. The first five days of November, clay katori lamps, deepa lanterns and candles become ubiquitous decorations because fire is a symbol of the victory of good.
In these holidays It is customary to give and receive gifts. It is clear that for this you must first purchase them. Therefore, preparing for Diwali is a little reminiscent of our New Year: fussy putting things in order and crowding in stores. Different regions of India have different, slightly different celebration traditions. Although the celebration as a whole is dedicated to the exploits of the Indian gods, it evokes associations with the harvest festivals so characteristic of the Indo-European peoples.
This means that we are moving from Asia to Europe, more precisely, to Great Britain, and there we observe the Apple Festival, which is very close in meaning to the harvest festival. It is dedicated not only to apples, but to all fruits, orchards and local attractions in general. This “delicious” holiday is not at all ancient; it was first celebrated only in 1990. Since then
On October 21, not only local residents, but guests visiting Foggy Albion can try the most original varieties of apples. On ordinary days it is impossible to find them in any store, but here they are freely sold at the fair.
The “Apple” holiday initially aimed to support all domestic horticultural products. On this day, it is customary to sell and buy rare varieties of apple seedlings, give free advice on their cultivation, and even prepare a wide variety of apple dishes. The British media rushed to call Apple Day " International holiday“, but in fact it is not such at all, it is not even official yet. Only in the USA has a similar festival taken root, but it is celebrated there not in the fall, but on February 21st. Who knows, maybe this is just the beginning and soon Apple Day will begin to spread across the planet?
It should be noted once again that the British Apple Festival is indeed very reminiscent of those Harvest Days that are held every year in Slavic countries.
Publications in the Traditions section
7 national holidays summer
To celebrate the end of sowing and enlist the support of spirits during the harvest, to properly prepare useful herbs and ensure the well-being of their herd - our ancestors knew seasonal rituals for all occasions. The portal "Culture.RF" has collected the most interesting summer holidays of the peoples of Russia that have survived to this day.
Ivan Kupala
Juhannus among the Finns, Ligo (or Jan's Day) among the Latvians and Estonians, Jonines among the Lithuanians, Kupala among the Belarusians, Ivan Kupala among the Ukrainians and Russians. The main summer holiday of these peoples has common pagan roots. In the Baltic countries, as in ancient times, it falls on the day summer solstice, but usually Midsummer's Day is not celebrated strictly on June 22. For example, in Latvia there are official holidays in honor of summer holiday- June 23 and 24. Among the Orthodox, Ivan Kupala shifted to July 7 and began to coincide with the Nativity of John the Baptist.
The tradition of celebrating Midsummer's Day has remained virtually unchanged. At the very short night During the year, it is customary to dress in national clothes, cook traditional cuisine and organize games associated with fire, water and herbs. It is believed that on a festive night, before sunset, you must take a swim in a river or lake. Towards sunset, bonfires are lit and people jump over them. IN Kupala night They also collect flowers, from which they then weave wreaths. After the holiday, these wreaths are dried and stored at home: they are believed to have special healing and protective powers. You can also guess with the help of Kupala wreaths: you need to lower the wreath into the river and see how far it floats - if it moves away from the shore, this promises a quick marriage, long life and happiness.
Ysyakh
Main holiday summer among the Yakuts - Ysyakh. It usually falls on the summer solstice - in 2018, Ysyakh will be celebrated on June 21. The holiday marks the beginning of the New Year in the traditional pastoral calendar. On this day, the ancestors of the Yakuts organized a solemn meeting with the deities aiyy - the patrons of horse breeding and cattle breeding.
Yysakh got its name from the word “ys” - to sprinkle, to sprinkle. Hence the ritual during which mare's milk - kumis - is sprinkled on the ground. Guests are also treated to kumiss and sprinkled on the fire. According to tradition, Ysyakh takes place inside a circle of young birches - the sacred tree of the Yakuts.
During the holiday, horse racing, jumping and wrestling competitions take place. This is an echo of ancient ritual games - they symbolized the transition from the old year to the new. The central place in the holiday is occupied by a round dance - osuokhai. During a mass dance, people move “according to the sun,” that is, clockwise. Each guest of Ysyakh must go through at least one circle of the round dance.
Sabantuy
Sabantuy was celebrated in the early Middle Ages. The name of this holiday was formed from the words “saban” - “plow” and “tui” - “wedding, celebration”. Initially, Sabantuy fell in the middle of spring, when the Turkic peoples celebrated the beginning of field work. In Soviet times, they began to celebrate the end of the sowing season.
Today Sabantuy takes place in the summer - almost all of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan celebrate it. Celebrations also take place in large cities in Russia and abroad where Tatars live. In 2018, the holiday in Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny will take place on June 23, and the main, federal Sabantuy will take place in Cheboksary on July 6 and 7.
The oldest surviving traditions of the holiday are horse racing, running competitions and wrestling. In the 19th century, comic competitions also appeared on Sabantui: running in sacks, climbing a smooth pole, fighting with bags of straw, tug of war.
Semyk
The main holiday of the Mari marks the onset of summer. It is related to the ancient Slavic holiday - Green Christmastide, whose main day was Semik. It was celebrated shortly before Trinity, on the seventh Thursday after Easter. Among the Russians, however, this holiday was supplanted by the Orthodox Trinity, but among the baptized Mari, Semyk exists as an independent holiday today. They celebrate it during Trinity Week - from Wednesday to Sunday. These days, the Mari commemorate their deceased relatives.
The first day of Semyk was always considered especially dangerous - people tried not to leave the house and not drive cattle out of the yard, so that the souls of the dead awakening from winter hibernation would not harm the household. To appease the deceased, each Mari family held a funeral dinner: food for the deceased was placed on a separate dish. At night, fires were lit, medicinal herbs were collected, and young people played and had fun until the morning. Today this holiday is more like a folk festival.
Gerber
Gerber is a national Udmurt holiday. It became nationwide in 1992, before that it was celebrated in different villages and under different names. Previously, the day of celebration depended on the weather and the timing of field work - Gerber ended the sowing season. Ritual mowing, throwing eggs into the first furrow, eating in the field, preparing special porridge, the “field wedding” ritual with the participation of a girl and a boy portraying the bride and groom - all this was supposed to ensure soil fertility and a good harvest.
Modern Gerber is rather an opportunity to plunge into Udmurt culture: hear folk music, buy crafts from local craftsmen, try perepechi - cheesecakes with meat, egg, mushroom or vegetable filling, washed down with traditional drinks - kumyshka and sur. In 2018, the Republican Gerber will be held on June 16 in the village of Pekshur, Uva district of Udmurtia.
Hebdenek
The Evens, a northern people, lived according to the lunar calendar in ancient times. New countdown calendar cycle started in the summer - June 22. The Even New Year is called Hebdenek, which means “fun”, and is celebrated on the day of the summer solstice. The Evens believed that at this time the gates between the worlds open slightly and the spirits hear everything that people ask for.
Since 1997, Hebdenek began to be celebrated in Magadan, near the mouth of the Dukcha River. In 2018, the holiday will fall on June 23. As in the old days, those who wish will gather at five o'clock in the morning to see the first rays of the new sun. The elders will conduct a ceremony of feeding the fire and thanking the Earth. At various venues you will be able to see an exhibition of crafts of the indigenous peoples of the North, visit a real Even camp, taste Magadan fish soup with tea made from taiga herbs, and take part in a round dance called Hede to the sound of tambourines. One of Hebdenek's favorite traditions, which is still followed today, is making wishes. For them to come true, you need to tie a ribbon to a special rope - “delburge”.
Tun-payram
The holiday of the first ayran, or Tun-payram, is one of the main events in the cultural calendar of Khakassia. Turkic nomadic herders celebrated Ayran Day 2000 years ago. The holiday occurred at the end of May - beginning of June, when cattle were driven from winter pastures to summer ones. The animals began to eat fresh grass, and a lot of milk appeared. For the holiday, ayran was prepared from the first milk, and milk vodka araku was distilled from ayran. People offered sacred food to the spirits, asking for abundance. A specially selected horse, yzykh, was considered the guardian of livestock, which during the ritual was washed with milk, fumigated with incense and released into the wild.
The recent history of Tun Pairam dates back to 1980. The main holiday takes place in the Sagai meadow near the village of Askiz and is dedicated to the Day of the Republic of Khakassia, which is celebrated on July 3. The ceremony of offering to the spirits is still carried out, and guests compete in horse racing, archery, jumping and wrestling. In one of the traditional competitions you need to take a stone weighing about 80 kg, sit down with it, and rise into full height and throw it over your shoulder.
