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Slovaks Give Presents According to German Custom
Friday 24 December 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Christmas Eve (also known as Badnak or Kracun in some Slovak dialects) has always been the most important holiday in Slovakia.
According to folk customs, it usually began when the first star was seen in the night sky. This was announced by the shooting of guns or the ringing of bells. Only then were candles lit on festive tables.
Apart from the special Christmas dinner, which began with a prayer, certain rituals were carried out in order to bring health, prosperity and good fortune in the year to come. The eating of pulses symbolised richness, while honey or garlic protected health.
The 'design' of the Christmas table and behaviour of the diners also played a significant role. You shouldn't kick the table legs if you don't won't your own legs to hurt, and you shouldn't blow on your meal either. Leaving the table wasn't allowed. The future harvest was predicted from the pattern of cooked peas.
Equally important was observing candle flames. If the flame pointed to somebody they were doomed to die within a year. Girls tried to find the name of their future husband by sticking three matches with a man's name into an apple. The last match to go out revealed the name of the husband.
Many superstitions also surround the midnight mass, which marked the end of the Catholic fast. The water in creeks was believed to turn into wine, while cattle began to to speak, the heavens opened and the Earth welcomed angels and spirits with crumbs left on tables. During Christmas, all domestic animals and also water and fire received their own special Christmas meal.
Christmas presents brought by 'the Christ Child' were unknown in traditional Slovak culture. This custom was imported, like the Christmas tree, from Germany.
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