People dress up, paying special efforts not to be recognized, and go from house to house singing, dancing, and playing games. The traditional masks are varied – they can be animals (e.g., a bear, or a crane), people (e.g., a gypsy – fortune teller), or supernatural creatures (e.g., the death or a devil). This particular tradition is known by different names in different parts of Latvia – budēļi, ķekatas, kaļadas – and is rather similar to Halloween. If you happen to be in Riga around Christmas time you should participate in the festivities! Masque Processions Rolling of the log is a joyous event attended by many villagers or townspeople and often includes some singing and dancing as well. At the end of the procession, the log is burned in a bonfire thus symbolically burning all the misfortune and sorrow to make a fresh start into the new year. The log, usually a sturdy oak with attached ropes, is rolled through the whole village or town to gather all the failures, the bad thoughts, and deeds of the passing year. Puzurs – a traditional Latvian Christmas decoration | Photo credit: Spekozols, Wikimedia Commons Rolling the Yule LogĪnother tradition that is supposed to scare away evil spirits, as well as to bring fertility and good luck, is rolling the yule log. These look nothing like the modern-day brightly colored and sparkly decorations, it is a more natural and subtle beauty. Did you know that the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree most likely originated in the Baltics? Traditional decorations are made from straw, colored yarn, bird feathers, as well as dried flowers or dried fruit. Home Decorationsįor the winter solstice homes are decorated with evergreens, most commonly fir branches and fir trees. Let me tell you a little about a few of the most interesting winter solstice traditions, several of which are still alive today. Over the centuries these old pagan traditions, characteristic to many Northern European countries, have blended and mixed with the Christian ones. To this day many traditions survive from the ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice – the longest night of the year. You see, until the German crusaders arrived in the 13th century, the people of the Baltics were the last pagans of Europe. Not so in Latvian where we celebrate “Ziemassvētki”, literally the “winter festival”. In fact, in many languages, the word for the celebration itself has to do with Christ or birth. For millions of people around the world, Christmas is closely tied to Christian beliefs, after all, it is a celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
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