The traditions of the Ukrainian people are rich and varied. They are always filled with interesting customs that have passed through the ages. It is noteworthy that Ukrainian youth adopts these traditions, in which their spiritual connection with their ancestors is visible. In most customs, you can see the interweaving of pagan and Christian beliefs.
Christmas
Many traditions of the Ukrainian people are associated with religious beliefs and celebrations. During the Christmas season in Ukraine, the custom of caroling is widespread. These days children go from one house to another. They wish peace and prosperity to all owners, sing Christmas songs, and scatter barley and wheat on the floor as symbols of happiness and prosperity.
These are very pleasant traditions of the Ukrainian people for children, because the owners in return should generously treat them with sweets, sweets and even give coins. It is believed that if this is not done, then there will be no luck in the house.
Christmas Eve
Other traditions of the Ukrainian people are associated with the festive table on Christmas Eve. This is Holy Evening, which is celebrated on the eve of Christmas. On this daya festive feast must necessarily consist of 12 Lenten dishes. That is, exactly match the number of apostles, who are considered the main disciples and helpers of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, according to the traditions and customs of the Ukrainian people, freshly baked bread, dumplings, kutya, uzvar are put on the table. The owners hide small coins in dumplings. It is believed that whoever finds such a gift will have a very successful year ahead. For children, looking for a treasured coin in dumplings is akin to a feeling of a miracle and an unusual surprise. Interesting traditions of the Ukrainian people for grade 2 are fascinating material on which you can discuss the features of the life of your ancestors.
And that's not all. We can recall diduha - the national symbol of the harvest, which is carefully preserved from the time of haymaking until Christmas. Among the interesting traditions of the Ukrainian people, it is necessary to note the custom of giving him a place of honor on Christmas days. Didukh looks like a human figurine, into which stems of various cereal crops are inserted, for example, rye, oats, wheat, as well as fragrant hay. During the feast, the participants of the holiday sing Christmas songs, remember how the year went, and discuss how to make the next one even more successful.
Shrovetide
On the eve of Lent, in the tradition of the Ukrainian people, celebrate Maslenitsa. This is a pagan custom that even Orthodox families celebrate today. The church also favors him.
The essence of this holiday is to see off winter and solemnmeeting of spring. Therefore, Shrovetide week is distinguished by especially bright festivities, because it is followed by the most severe fast in Christianity. Before the seven weeks of strict food restrictions come, the people try to eat enough to eat. Every day it is customary to cook pancakes, visit friends and family.
Many traditions of the Ukrainian people are specially adapted for children. For example, this applies to pancakes. They are an obligatory attribute of Shrovetide, which is very popular with kids, because pancakes are prepared both sweet, and with jam, and with fillings. In a word, for every taste. The pancake symbolizes the sun, for which people yearned so much during the long winter. It brings warmth and spring mood, which is so lacking.
As you have already noticed, the traditions of the Ukrainian people in the scientific style are similar to Russian and Belarusian ones. If we talk about Maslenitsa, then the main custom these days is the preparation of dumplings with cottage cheese.
At the end of Shrovetide week, it is customary for everyone to go to mass festivities. In addition, then forgiveness Sunday is celebrated. On this day, it is customary to put up with everyone, ask for forgiveness from relatives, friends and even strangers.
Easter
The main Orthodox holiday, Easter, is also celebrated in Ukraine. Celebrations take place on a spring day, when you can enjoy the upcoming summer with peace of mind.
Among the interesting traditions of the Ukrainian people, there is this one: not to sleep on the night of Easter. All Orthodox believers instead go to the all-night service in the church. As usual, they take beautiful baskets with them, in which they put the best dishes for their consecration. And when they come home, they arrange a real feast, because it is on Easter that the seven-week strictest Christian fast ends.
At the same time, there is another tradition in Ukraine: no matter how rich the festive table is, it is necessary to start the feast with Easter bread. It has a special shape and is often made sweet and glazed.
When meeting friends greet each other with the phrase: "Christ is Risen!". Having heard such an appeal, it is necessary to answer: "Truly Risen!".
Summer Solstice
The holiday of Ivan Kupala is another example of what pagan customs and traditions are present in the life of modern people. It is celebrated on the day of the summer solstice. This holiday is accompanied by a large number of rituals associated with fire, water and various herbs.
The most desperate people jump over the fire this night. At midnight, it is customary to go into the forest in search of a flowering fern, although many believe that this plant never blooms. Nevertheless, some believe that if such a fern is still found, it will certainly indicate the path to the treasure.
Ukrainian girls on the holiday of Ivan Kupala weave wreaths of wild flowers and float them on the water. This custom is especially common among the unmarried. It is believed that a girl will find family happiness on the shore to which her wreath will be nailed.
It is also customary to go to the field before dawn and speak grass for the he alth of relatives and friends. It is in wreaths of this grass that young men and women then jump over the fire.
Traditions of matchmaking
Family plays a big role in the life of Ukrainians. Therefore, all the traditions associated with it are thought out especially well.
Any marriage ceremony begins with matchmaking. According to ancient custom, representatives of the groom come to the bride's house to arrange a future wedding. As a rule, among them are elderly and respected people, often these are village elders, if the case takes place in the countryside. The girl gives the answer by bringing guests a towel (which means that she agrees) or a pumpkin, which symbolizes refusal.
Wedding
A few days before the celebration, the bride's family traditionally bakes ceremonial bread - loaf.
On the morning of the wedding day, the groom arrives at the house of his future wife to ransom her. As a rule, the ransom is symbolic. Often the groom is required to complete some tasks in order to pick up his chosen one, or to demonstrate that he knows her well.
Then the couple is married in the church, and it is customary to celebrate the marriage in the groom's house. After a solemn dinner, the young wife undoes her braid and puts on a scarf, which means her married status. These are some of the traditions of the Ukrainian people.
