The roots of Russian and Ukrainian traditions date back centuries. Although these are two different countries with their history and cultural features, both of them belong to the Slavic group and have many things in common. To the biggest degree, it deals with the holidays and traditions that Ukrainian and Russian people have.
Most of the Ukrainian and Russian traditions rooted in the Christian religion appeared due to historical circumstances. Some holidays are similar to what people in Western Europe celebrate. Some others are absolutely unique and special, which you can hardly find in any different culture. According to VictoriyaClub site Slavic people pay enormous attention to observing customs, which are extremely peculiar and even absurd sometimes.
So, what is especially interesting about Russian and Ukrainian traditions? Let’s find out.
Maslenitsa Celebration
This is one of our preferred holidays in Russian and Ukrainian traditions. It is celebrated during the last week before the Great Lent. This is when people say goodbye to wider and welcome spring. Maslenitsa is celebrated with outdoor festivals and pancakes that people cook all week long. The tradition of cooking pancakes appeared in the time of Kievan Rus. Back then, a pancake was considered to be a symbol of the sun. There was a special ritual with pancakes during the week when Maslenitsa was celebrated. On Monday, everyone started to prepare for the holiday. On weekends, the celebration took place. People were eating pancakes with sour cream and caviar. On Sunday, people celebrated the forgiveness day when they asked their friends and relatives to forgive them.
Kupala Night
This is one more holiday with traditions that are specific for people from Russia and Ukraine. The holiday is associated with the time of summer solstice. The celebration takes place on the night of July 7th. There are many legends and myths associated with that date. For example, there is a general belief that many magical plants grow during this period. There is a belief that everyone who finds a blooming fern in the forest will be rich and happy for the rest of life in Ukraine.
There are many cool rituals taking place on that day. For example, on the Kupala Night, people burn bonfires and jump over them. It’s believed that if a couple jumps over the bonfire holding each other by the hand, they will live happily together for the rest of their lives. Girls throw wreaths in the water—the one whose wreath travels the fastest will get married soon.
Christianisation of Kievan Rus
There is a tradition to plunge into an ice hole on this holiday. The Christianisation of Kievan Rus is celebrated every year on January 19. At night, people all over Ukraine and Russia break through the ice and cut holes in the form of a cross. Early in the morning and throughout the day, people dive into the hole three times each. It’s believed that water has the healing power that day. Even when you plunge into the ice-cold water you won’t catch a cold, and your illnesses will be cured.
Easter
The holiday is not unique, but it bears a special meaning for all Slavic people. There is a tradition to paint and beat eggs that day. It came from ancient times when people painted eggs (pysanka), brought them to church, exchanged with each other, and beat them. A painted egg symbolizes the gem of a new life. Eggs are painted in different colors with wax. Each color has its own meaning. To signify joy and happiness, people use red; yellow is used to reflect the sunlight, whereas blue symbolizes health.
The Old New Year Celebration
This is a weird tradition that you will not meet in other countries. People in Ukraine and Russia celebrate the Old New Year on January 14th. The holiday appeared due to the transition from one system of chronology to another in all post-Soviet countries. There is a difference of 14 days between the two calendars. So, people decide to celebrate the New Year twice, in the new and old styles.
Celebrating Christmas Singing Carols
This is one of the most beautiful customs in Ukraine. There is a tradition of singing Christmas carols (in Ukrainian, it’s called Kolyadkas) on Christmas Eve. Groups of people (kids mostly) gather together to come to their neighbors’ yards and sing traditional carols. As they sing, they wish prosperity and health to all family members in the home where they come. In modern days, singers rarely put up national costumes. However, in ancient times there was a tradition to put on fur coats, animal masks and bring gifts for collecting gifts. There is a belief in Ukraine, saying that when carolers come to your dwelling, the whole next year will be successful and fruitful.
Greeting People with Bread and Salt
This is a family-oriented tradition that you won’t meet anywhere else in the world. Since the times of Kievan Rus, people in Ukraine and Russia have started to meet their honorable guests with bread and salt. There is a tradition to meet just-married couples with bread and salt on their wedding day. It’s believed that meeting people with this combination of products the hosts wish wealth (this is what break symbolizes) and banish evil spirits (it’s what salt is used for).
Having a Picnic on Graves
The tradition can be understood in the post-Soviet countries only. There are commemorative days in Russia and Ukraine a week after Easter. On these days, people go to the cemetery to the graves of their relatives, bring food, and organize picnics on benches near the graveside. It’s believed that on these days, the souls of the deceased descend to the earth. People also share food with others on the graveyard or leave something to eat on the graves. As a rule, they bring Easter cakes, eggs, traditional pork fat, and bread.
Bottom Line
Every country has its own unique traditions. Some of them are fun, some others can be strange and scary. Is there anything weird that you can share about your country? Please drop a line in the comments.
