Ancient customs of the Ukrainian people
The roots of Ukrainian customs go back to the pre-Christian era. The church was unable to significantly influence traditional rituals; until the 19th century, weddings were performed according to pagan canons. That is why the wedding season was spring and early summer, the time when nature woke up. And only with the victorious march of Christianity were the celebrations moved to the autumn, since the spring Great Lent prohibited any holidays.
The wedding in Ukraine was celebrated with all the heart, on a grand scale, guests were convened from all the surrounding villages, not forgetting the most distant relatives. However, we did not walk mindlessly. If they drank, then with a restriction: only senior and respected guests. But children and schoolchildren were not allowed to attend such festivities at all.
Rite of matchmaking and bridesmaid
A wedding in Ukrainian style requires a mandatory preliminary acquaintance. Currently, this custom, unfortunately, has been completely forgotten, only in Transcarpathia has it remained practically unchanged. But bridesmaids and matchmaking allow relatives to take a closer look at each other, evaluate the families and relationships of the young with an adult eye, and perhaps give advice or oppose the wedding before it’s too late!
According to the ancient custom, when a boy fell in love with a girl, he notified his older relatives. And they should have already gone on an important mission to the parents of their betrothed. A representative delegation consisting of senior male family members gathered. If there was no father, uncles or grandfathers took his place. And the whole friendly crowd, dressed in their best outfits, went to the house of the future bride. The groom did not enter the house, he remained under the windows. Although, the girl’s father could have invited him to look at the guy.
They brought with them an obligatory symbol of peaceful intentions and good agreement - a freshly baked loaf (nowadays it can be replaced with an ordinary store-bought loaf). The bread was solemnly laid out on the table, always in a clean embroidered towel, and a leisurely conversation began.
The conversation was conducted exclusively by the heads of families, regardless of the degree of relationship with the young people: these could be grandfathers, uncles or older brothers. If the matchmaking was not rejected, the next stage began. A girl came out to the guests and cut the brought loaf in half with the ritual phrase: “I cut this bread to give you my word, from now on I will be your daughter.” Slices of loaf were laid out on a towel, which meant a final positive response from the future bride.
The matchmakers also responded traditionally: “We thank the pretty maiden for embroidering such a marvelous towel.” At this point the preliminary stage was successfully completed. They agreed on a date for the viewing and engagement, and the matchmakers said goodbye.
Groom
Enough about the bride! Let's move on to the “garn lad” - the groom. If red trousers and a blouse are in harmony with your inner world, then we sew to order or purchase a groom’s suit in a specialized store, not a wedding shop.
Of course, you can choose a more restrained suit - a classic one, with the usual formal trousers and embroidered shirt, the popularity of which increased in 2016, and in 2021 there is an increase in demand for such an interesting and very beautiful item of men's wardrobe.
It is not necessary to go to Kyiv or Kharkov to buy festive attire. Everything can be ordered in an online store, for example, in UkrModa you can choose a complete set, from socks and belts with embroidery (even underwear is available) to bloomers and, in fact, embroidered shirts - men's, women's and even children's.
Perhaps you will find not only an outfit for yourself, but also solve the issue of clothing for the guests, because their image is very important at such a themed party, if you allow it. The only inconvenience on the proposed site is the price in Ukrainian currency, which means you have to strain a little to figure out the cost. I am sure that some young couples will encounter a misunderstanding of this approach to guests’ clothing.
In such a case, I have an excellent, in my opinion, proposal. Stock up on some accessories that will quickly and easily “recruit” your guest into the ranks of Ukrainian merry fellows.
An excellent option for men.
And for beautiful people, these cute accessories are suitable.
Of course, this will not replace the desired bridesmaid dress format, but if someone breaks the rules, you can save the day.
We looked at the groom's image, came up with the guests' attire, where to buy all this - we know. Now let's move on to decorating the banquet hall, let's think about what decorative elements need to be purchased, and what you can do with your own hands.
Preparation for wedding celebrations
The pre-wedding stage in Ukrainian villages lasted quite a long time, up to a month. It was necessary to prepare for the feast, sew outfits, check again and add a dowry. Moreover, the obligatory rituals must be carried out so that the joint path will lay a smooth path under the young people’s feet.
Bridesmaids and engagement
This ceremony was carried out a few days or weeks after the matchmaking. The girl’s closest relatives gathered and went on a return visit to the groom’s house, taking with them, again, bread. In this way, they assessed the family’s financial situation and appearance, as well as the character of the boy himself. If they didn’t like something, they could refuse the wedding.
At the engagement that followed the bridesmaid, third-party witnesses were necessarily present to confirm the formation of a new union. Traditions prescribed to behave politely and kindly, because the future relations of the two families depended on this. The young woman was dressed up and taken to the common room. She treated her father-in-law and mother-in-law all evening, offering various dishes with bows. Moreover, the girl had to cook most of them herself - this was how her housekeeping skills were assessed, among other things.
The bride also showed modesty and tried to show her best side. The newlyweds were tied with a towel embroidered with ritual symbols as a sign of the inviolability of family ties. After this, the bride and groom were considered consensual. Refusal to marry imposed an indelible shame and such a young man or girl was guaranteed public reproach and difficulties in his personal life. The bride always presented the groom's parents with her embroidered handicrafts: scarves, shirts, towels.
Maiden farewell
The young bride definitely had to say goodbye to her father’s house and carefree girlish freedom in order to enter family life without old debts. There was a bachelorette party to which best friends and unmarried sisters were invited. They baked bread and rolls. They helped prepare the dowry. The girl's hair was undone and a wreath was put on. We wove an amulet for good luck - we tied bright ribbons, sweets, and gingerbread cookies onto a branch so that we could then secure it on the wedding table.
Hall decor and floristry
It is very difficult to celebrate a wedding in Ukrainian without a riot of colors and careful detailing of absolutely all the items that will be at the wedding. Decorate your wedding in bright and sunny colors.
Pottery and toys, flower wreaths, wicker furniture, colorful bright ribbons, tablecloths and towels embroidered with national patterns, toys made from dough and cheese - everything that is associated with the Ukrainian ethnic group. For the wedding hall, you should choose decoration with flowers and national embroidery. There is no need to get fancy with colors. You can use simple flowers from vast Ukrainian fields or just wildflowers.
Ukrainian wedding
Preparing for the wedding was quite difficult. It was obligatory to bake a wedding loaf and embroider a special towel with national amulets.
Wedding bread was made according to a unique recipe by the best cooks. It was lush and very tasty. It was always decorated with elements from the same dough: ears of millet, a symbol of prosperity, and an image of viburnum leaves - a symbol of fertility and procreation. The loaf was crowned with wedding symbols, as a sign of unbreakable love and fidelity.
Every self-respecting Ukrainian woman had to be able to weave, sew and embroider. All clothing, household and bedding items were richly decorated with embroidery. Particularly successful items were set aside for the holidays. The dowry that the young girl began to prepare from a young age included a large number of towels, curtains, shirts, aprons, skirts, and bed linen. It was on the towels that bread and loaves were placed. They were given to relatives and close friends. A symbol of prosperity in the Ukrainian tradition is a lush loaf on an embroidered snow-white towel.
Outfits of the young
Ukrainian traditional wedding dresses are very beautiful and original. In a region where embroidery was present on almost any product, and wooden furniture and utensils were decorated with magnificent carvings, the vestments of the young could not be trivial. The fabrics were embroidered with painstakingly complex patterns. Multi-colored silk threads, beads, and ribbons were used. Embroidery styles could be different: satin stitch, cross stitch, hemstitch, and everything looked so harmonious that you couldn’t take your eyes off it.
Oak leaves, periwinkle, hops, rowan and viburnum clusters, birds and animals, grapes and poppies were considered traditional patterns. Each element carried a strictly defined semantic load. Embroidery could tell a lot about a particular person. Also, some patterns had a blessing or protective function. When embroidering patterns for themselves, their family and loved ones, the craftswomen put not only positive emotions and their energy into the pattern, but also asked higher powers to help, guide, and console.
Bride ransom
Before gaining access to the bride, the groom had to prove that he was worthy. On the wedding day, the dressed groom goes to pick up his chosen one. Along the way, numerous acquaintances, relatives, and friends blocked his path and demanded compensation, otherwise they would not let him pass further. The boy gave everyone sweets, coins, small scarves or towels.
And in the bride’s house, serious trials began, because the relatives of the future wife had to make sure that the husband was strong, smart and resourceful. He will be able to work and protect his family. He could be asked to harness a horse, plow a plot of land, chop wood, or show his strength by lifting a barrel of water. Tricky questions and riddles were required to provide an opportunity to demonstrate intelligence and acumen.
Wedding of the newlyweds
The ritual of consecrating the marriage bond took place in a local church. The priest read prayers, the newlyweds were crowned with special wreaths. Upon leaving their temple, the newlyweds fell under a real rain of coins and cereals - as a sign of a rich and well-fed life. According to legend, it was believed that at that moment hell could have opened up in front of the young people, so their parents actively poured water at their feet.
The feast itself usually took place in the courtyard of the groom's house. Tables were taken out, the area was decorated in every possible way. Hot and cold snacks, a variety of pies, meat and vegetable dishes were displayed on embroidered tablecloths. Upon arrival from church, the newlyweds were greeted with bread and salt. They had to break off a piece, dip it in salt and eat it. The size of the piece determined who would rule.
Interesting wedding customs
Ukrainian customs regarding pre-wedding preparations and the wedding itself are so interesting that you can watch this enchanting event endlessly.
- The groom's mother borrowed a rye loaf from neighbors, with which the matchmakers went; this promised good luck in a difficult mission.
- In the event of a categorical refusal on the part of the girl’s relatives to have any kind of relationship, the matchmakers were given a pumpkin (watermelon). With which they went home. Ukrainians even have a saying: “You will get watermelon!”
- The girl did not immediately agree to the wedding. She stood and “kicked the stove,” turning away, and with all her might she delayed the moment of decision. In the end, asking for two or three days to think about it.
- If the girl did not agree to the wedding, she could personally take the bread left by the matchmakers back to the rejected guy’s house.
- In no case could a towel be placed under the festive loaf that was not made and embroidered by the hands of the bride. It was believed that in this case the young woman would not live her destiny and would be unhappy.
- Marriage shirts were considered the strongest amulets, capable of saving lives in war or helping with childbirth.
Ukrainian weddings have always been very lavishly decorated. Many flowers decorated the tables. Colored satin ribbons were used, beautiful decorative fences and arches were woven. Bright natural colors predominated: yellow, green, white, red.
Wedding gifts
An interesting ritual is “choboty”, when the young groom gave his mother-in-law a gift - beautiful embroidered boots. He had to wash his bride's mother's feet, put her shoes on and invite her to dance so that it would be clear that the shoes were just right.
Meanwhile, the girl presented gifts to her betrothed’s parents, consisting of her own handicrafts.
The wedding night
Unraveling a girl's braid is an ancient custom. It was at this moment that the young woman passed from the status of a girl to the status of a married woman. The mother-in-law and husband took off their wedding crown - a lush wreath with many ribbons, which the young woman then threw into a group of unmarried girls.
Then the mother-in-law unraveled the girl’s braid and braided it in a different way, arranging her hair in a crown. After which she covered the young woman’s head with a patterned scarf - a symbol of marriage. This custom is explained by the fact that the wife works a lot around the house, so her hair must be tidied up, and it is not proper for a wife to show her beauty to anyone other than her husband or close relatives.
The newlyweds' bed was made by the mothers. The girlfriends dressed the young wife in a chemise embroidered by the bride herself.
Wedding menu in Ukrainian traditions
A mandatory attribute of a Ukrainian wedding is a loaf. In the old days, a lot of attention was paid to this baking. It was of great importance how the loaf would turn out when baked. Ideally, it should not be crooked, skewed, cracked, or burnt. If the finished loaf had these defects, it was an omen of an unsuccessful marriage, difficulties, quarrels and even the death of one of the spouses. Nowadays, the loaf should be tall, lush and, undoubtedly, beautiful. To decorate it, they use figurines of doves or swans made of dough, viburnum berries, small flowers and tie it around the circumference with a red ribbon.
No less important is the wedding cake. It should be designed according to the style. For decoration you can use sunflower flowers, poppies, cornflowers, daisies, wheat ears, making them from colored mastic.
There must be dishes of Ukrainian national cuisine on the tables, namely:
- dumplings with various fillings;
- cabbage rolls;
- homemade sausage;
- potato pancakes;
- salo;
- nalistniki with curd filling;
- baked fish.
Drinks you can offer guests are vodka, various liqueurs, kvass, and compote.
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After the wedding
In the morning, the bed was always checked for the girl’s innocence. If the girl turned out to be honest, her mother received gifts. Then the young wife brought water from the spring and gave water to all the guests.
On the second day, “mummers” usually appeared for the amusement of the guests. Taking the place of the newlyweds, they amused everyone. The rest could dress up as they wished, after which the whole crowd walked around the neighborhood and sang songs. It was believed that in this way the evil spirits would become confused and would not find real spouses.
A Ukrainian wedding is all about songs, celebrations and fun. These warm-hearted people know how to have fun and welcome guests. And ancient customs, carefully preserved and strictly observed, give the solemn event a deep meaning.
