October 26 is an important date in Slavic tradition. On this day, the Slavic tribes celebrated the Day of the Ancients, the fourth such day in a year. It was the time when the living ones remembered their deceased relatives and went to the graveyards in order to take care of the graves and bring ritual food prepared for the occasion. A plate of food and a glass of beverage were left on every grave for the deceased, and the rest of the food and drink was consumed by the living in honor of the dead. It was a day for people to remember those who were no longer with them, not only with sadness, but also with smiles on their faces, sharing the memories of their loved ones, grateful for the light they used to bring into their lives. This kind of celebration survived even after the Christianization of the Slavs, with the dates and customs varying across nations.
(image retrieved from culture.pl)
No comments:
Post a Comment