What were Dziady? It is more than just reading!

Currently offered  Forefathers They are mainly associated with the series of dramas by Adam Mickiewicz. It is worth knowing, however, that our national bard was inspired by real rites that were cultivated even in the XNUMXth century, among others in Podlasie. What were they and are they related to Celebration of All Saints?

Forefathers - what was that?

Forefathers it is a pre-Christian all-soul rite. Its essence was the intercourse between the living and the dead. It was related to establishing relationships between the living and the souls of deceased ancestors. According to old beliefs, souls periodically returned to their former abode, where they resided during their lifetime.

Also read: Feast of the Dead or All Saints? >>>

Ancestors, that is grandfathers, were considered the guardians of fertility and fertility. This is why efforts were made to gain their favor, as it was to pay off in the future. Same name Forefathers in force mainly in Podlasie, Polesie, as well as in Russia and Ukraine. In practice, however, this custom was valid throughout Poland under various names, e.g. skirts, wires, radecznica or All Souls' Day. These practices were common among the Slavs, Balts, and all European and non-European cultures (e.g. in Mexico).

When was celebrated Forefathers?

Forefathers were celebrated twice a year on the following days:

• at the beginning of spring, i.e. on May 2 - although it depended on the phases of the moon,
• on the night of October 31st to November 1st - then these celebrations were called Autumn Forefathers. It was a preparation for All Saints' Daywhich was celebrated on November 2nd.

Forefathers - what were the customs?

Slavic Forefathers in terms of the accompanying atmosphere, they were not among the sad celebrations. It was a time of quiet fun, and the accompanying celebrations were associated with the worship of the dead. It was meant to be a reminder of the life after death that awaited every human being, regardless of his or hers social status.

Preparation of the dinner during the Dziadów feast - RKP, 2008, Pęcice / photo: Wikimedia Commons

For this reason, our ancestors feasted and danced over graves of the dead. Food leftovers, however, do not were thrown out. They were left in places of feasts because it was believed that the dead would eat them. It is worth noting that the customs differed depending on the region. However, there was one common theme everywhere, and it was ...

…fire

Our ancestors lit numerous fires that played a double role. On the one hand, they were to serve as a signpost for wandering souls, and on the other hand, they were to protect against demons. It is worth mentioning that the latter were to be particularly active in the period Forefathers' Eve. Lighting fires to this day has its continuation in the form of commonly lit candles.

An interesting fact is that Forefathers they were also the spirits of beggars. Special attention was paid to them, giving them various gifts that night. It was believed that they were particularly close due to their financial situation sacred while still alive.

Bans during the night Forefathers' Eve

Forefathers they were a particularly sanctified night, during which the spirits of the dead penetrated our temporal world. There were, however, numerous prohibitions that could harm souls. For this reason, it was not possible, for example, to weave and sew. It was believed that these activities could result in inadvertent attachment Forefathers' Eve to a world inhabited by mortals.

Also read: Halloween and All Saints - is it mutually exclusive? >>>

Other forbidden activities also included pouring water through the window. It could risk accidentally dousing the souls that circled the houses that night. Lighting in the furnace was also forbidden. They were considered points of close contact sacred z profane. It was also believed that sometimes human souls got into their homes through furnaces.

Czy Forefathers have survived to this day?

After the Christianization of Poland, efforts were made to eradicate the native Slavic customs. Forefathers were one of them. However, the effect was only partially achieved. This is evidenced by the fact that to this day, for example in Podlasie or Polesie, it is cultivated to bring food to the graves of the dead in the so-called two-fold. It is worth emphasizing that the burning of candles is a direct consequence of the Slavic lighting of fires.

Foods for the spirits of the dead and masks (kraboszki) symbolizing them - Dziady 2009, RKP, Chram Mazowiecki / photo: Wikimedia Commons