The history of the holiday, traditions and customs. How to celebrate the Old New Year, what to cook on the table? How is it celebrated in different countries?
Old New Year is a holiday celebrated in the post-Soviet territory, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Greece and Eastern Europe. There are long traditions and customs, many of which are still observed. Further on, when the Old New Year is celebrated, and how it happens.
When is it customary to celebrate the Old New Year?
The history of the Old New Year is connected with 1918, when Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar. Before the reform of the Bolsheviks, January 14 was celebrated the day of St. Basil - the patron saint of farmers and pastoralists. In Ukraine and Belarus, the eve of this day is called "generous evening", and in the southern regions of Russia - "oats".
Everybody knows what date the Old New Year comes to us. The holiday is celebrated from the evening of January 13th and ends on the 14th. The period falls on Christmastide when they are guessing for the future. Girls and women are guessing at the betrothed, at the child. On the morning of January 14th, young people come to sow so that the next year will be fertile and happy.
Old New Year Celebration Traditions
Traditions for the Old New Year have come down to modern times since deep times. Many of them relate to the festive table. In the New Year, according to the old calendar, it was customary to serve baked pig or pig dishes on the table, which promised wealth and good luck next year.
Dumplings with surprises were prepared in Russia. They were brought to the guests and, according to the filling, they determined what kind of future was prepared for a person. Dumplings were prepared by the whole family.
Traditional porridge was prepared for the festive table. The oldest woman in the house poured the groats for the dish at 2 am, without touching the grain. The eldest man of the family brought the water. They stoked the stove, put on porridge and sat around the family. They stirred the porridge and waited for the result.
Depending on how the dish comes out, the future was assessed:
- porridge "ran away" - to trouble (the dish was not eaten);
- the pot burst - to the disease;
- foam on the surface is empty chores;
- hearty tasty porridge - wealth and happiness.
Also on New Year's, according to the old style, it is customary to serve plentiful kutya. It was generously flavored with dried fruits and sweetened.
The custom associated with the Old New Year is the burning of Didukh. This is the name of a sheaf of straw, which is taken out to the intersection and set on fire. When the flame diminishes, they jump over the fire, accompanying the action with games, dances, songs.
The main event for the Old New Year is sowing. Tradition is associated with the wish for wealth and happiness. It is believed that only guys should sow: girls will not bring happiness to the house. And by all means in mittens: you cannot take grain with your hands.
Rye, wheat, barley were suitable for sowing. Other grains and legumes were troublesome. They were the first to visit the houses of their godparents. The sown grain had to lie on the floor at least until the evening, preferably three days. Then the cereals were harvested and stored until sowing, then they were mixed with spring cereals.
It was only possible to sing carols and chants until midnight on January 13 of the Old New Year. Further rampant evil spirits followed. Young people dressed up in costumes of evil spirits. One of the guys was put in Melanka (according to the Christian calendar, Malania Roman is worshiped on January 13). So, with the onset of darkness, they walked around the courtyards, sang carols on the Old New Year, had fun, wished people well and happiness. It was customary to generously reward carols with food and money. Similar traditions still live on.
How to celebrate the Old New Year?
Today the Old New Year is celebrated in different ways. Someone orders a table in a restaurant, someone follows old traditions and is looking for like-minded people. But it is much more interesting to combine ancient and new customs, creating an unforgettable holiday.
The essence of the Old New Year is to unite the family, look into the future, wish each other happiness and health. Invite friends and family to visit, create a warm and cozy atmosphere - and you will remember the celebration for a long time.
To get things done, follow these simple guidelines:
- Do not remove the tree, leave all the decorations in the house to create the right atmosphere;
- Light candles or garlands;
- If you are going to guess, prepare saucers, candles, rings, mirrors and other attributes in advance;
- Call your guests before dark (it is considered that you cannot go for a walk at night) or in the afternoon on January 14;
- If you go to visit in the dark, it is recommended to do it in a suit or put on a couple of things topsy-turvy to scare off evil spirits;
- Try to prepare a rich table: this symbolizes prosperity in the next year;
- Perform a rite of burning old things or just throw them away (the rite can be performed symbolically, getting rid of only things related to illness or failure).
Old New Year is a good reason to call people you haven't seen for a long time, or visit friends.
Guests who visit your home can be entertained with fortune-telling, surprises and gifts, New Year's games. Just do not get carried away with fortune-telling: sometimes an incorrectly performed ritual, taken seriously, can negatively affect fate.
At midnight, be sure to make a wish and invite your guests to do it. You can mentally articulate what you expect from the New Year. Another option is to write on a piece of paper and burn it, and pour the ashes into a glass of champagne. Drink champagne when the Old New Year is seen off. It is believed that the wish will definitely come true.
If you are going to sow on January 14th, prepare thematic songs or poems in advance. You can walk around the guests in national costumes. Prepare grain: there should be enough for everyone.
What to cook on the table?
Old New Year loves abundance. No wonder in ancient times it was customary to bake a pig to demonstrate wealth. You can follow this custom or simply prepare delicious meat dishes.
Any dishes are suitable for the Old New Year 2020. The year will pass under the sign of the Rat. The rodent is omnivorous, unpretentious, but loves to eat.
The rat loves simple dishes, so you can please it with a variety:
- pies, pies, dumplings and other dough products;
- an abundance of meat dishes (chicken, turkey, pork, beef);
- salads with vegetables, meats and cheeses;
- side dishes of potatoes, cereals;
- snacks with cheeses and nuts;
- sweets in different forms, to which the Rat is not indifferent;
- traditional drinks: champagne, liqueur, low alcohol drinks and cocktails.
Don't burden the table with exquisite exotic dishes. The rat loves simple food. Moreover, the main New Year has passed, many have already managed to please themselves with goodies, so they will be happy with a simple but satisfying treat.
Signs for the Old New Year
There are many signs associated with the holiday. In the old days, they paid attention to them and judged what the year would be.
You can try to observe nature today:
- cloudless sky with stars - for a hot summer and a good harvest;
- blizzard - to the harvest of nuts;
- snow - to rains in July;
- frost on trees - to honey;
- a high-standing sun - to harvest and fertility.
There are signs related to the meeting of the Old New Year. For example, if a man from a large family is the first to be brought into the house, there will be wealth and prosperity in the house. Pork dishes on the table - fortunately. A noisy, cheerful holiday also promises prosperity.
There are signs that allow you not to scare off your luck:
- From Christmas to Old New Year, don’t wear new clothes. If you want to show off, please be patient before the holiday.
- When wanting something, while making a toast, avoid the "not" particle. Then the plan will definitely come true.
- Do not celebrate only with a female company. There must be men among the guests.
- Do the cleaning in advance: it is not recommended to do it on holidays. The people believe that this way you can sweep away good luck and prosperity.
- Do not lend or count small money: this leads to poverty.
- It is not advisable to quarrel, be angry. If you are in a quarrel, it is recommended to ask for forgiveness, to reconcile the warring parties.
- You can not say the number "13": you can call trouble.
There are other signs that track random events. They indicate possible changes in life:
- If you put on a dress inside out, expect global changes in life.
- If you washed yourself first, you will be healthy. It is advisable to wash yourself with river water in the morning of January 14 in order to stock up on health for the whole year.
- Shake fruit trees - from pests.
- It is advisable to buy a new broom: the purchase promises prosperity next year.
- On the evening of the 13th, put on clean ironed clothes and be neat for good luck.
- To build success in business, start it on the first day of the new year. Also on January 14, it is customary to declare love: it is believed that feelings will not remain without reciprocity.
You can not believe the signs. But they reflect popular wisdom, beliefs developed over the centuries. If you are firmly convinced of something, it will definitely come true.
Old New Year in other countries
In which countries is Old New Year celebrated on an equally large scale? In addition to the post-Soviet space, the holiday is popular in Eastern Europe, some countries of North Africa.
Old New Year is popular in Wales (UK), but here it is called Hen Galan, which means "old legends". They go from door to door, singing songs with wishes for a Happy New Year. Singers are rewarded with sweets called "kalleneig" (the Welsh word comes from the root "carols", like Russian carols, and means "gift").
There is a custom called Mary Loyd dating back to the 18th century. Two people dress up in a horse costume. A group with mummers at the head walks around the courtyards, sings, calls the owners to the song competitions. For the performance, the speakers are given money and treats.
In Switzerland, the holiday is called Old Sylvester. The day is associated with the death of Pope Sylvester the First. The mummers put on headdresses that resemble kokoshniks. Part of the costume are bells and bells that scare away evil spirits. Men wore suits: the robes were heavy, their weight reached 20 kg. Sylvester Claus (as the mummers are called) walk the streets and sing throat tunes without words.
In Japan, they celebrate the "Little New Year". The celebration is associated with the Shinto religion and the deity in charge of the harvest. The Japanese visit shrines and eat sweet rice porridge with beans. Bamboo sticks are hung in houses, rice cakes and amulets are attached to them. Bamboo sticks are stuck into the porridge. Then take them out and check how much rice is left in the cylinder. The more, the more productive the year.
Saint Basil's Day is celebrated in Macedonia. On this day, they sing and dance around bonfires to scare away evil spirits. The Macedonians break bread and look for coins in it. Whoever finds it will be happy and rich. In the village of Vevchane in Macedonia, a carnival is held: the tradition is about one and a half thousand years.
In Algeria and Morocco, the New Year is celebrated according to the Berber calendar. The holiday can fall on January 12 or 14 and is called Yennayer. Couscous with meat, dried fruits and vegetables are prepared on the table. In some regions, it is customary to serve spicy food so that the next year is not bitter.
In Abkhazia, January 13 is called the day of the creation of the world and is dedicated to the god Shashva. Until now, in remote villages on this day, domestic animals and birds are sacrificed.
In the countries of Eastern Europe, traditions are reminiscent of Russians. On the eve they are trying to put the house in order, prepare a rich table. The mummers walk around the courtyards and sing songs, receiving a treat. The traditions of fortune-telling have also been preserved.
As the Old New Year is celebrated - look at the video:
No matter how you celebrate the Old New Year, the feeling of the start of a new life remains on the holiday. Wish your innermost desires to come true in the New Year.
