Original scientific paper

Christmas Time in Traditional Heritage of Posušje

Josipa Kelava orcid.org/0000-0003-1195-5737 ; Sveučilište u Splitu, Filozofski fakultet

Abstract

Based on the collected contemporary field notes this paper represents customs and rituals related to the period from Christmas Day to the Epiphany. The field notes were recorded in 2011 and in April 2016 in Posusje. The interpretation is complemented by using literary-theoretical literature. This period of twelve days is characterized by customs of apotropeic and panspermic character as well as various divinations. The central place of Christmas customs takes Christmas Day itself. On Christmas Day everyone should be in peace with themselves and with everyone else. Christmas time also includes the holidays of St. Stephen, St. John, Childermas, Sylvester’s Day, New Year’s Day and the Epiphany. With the Three Kings’ Day ends the Christmas time. The recorded rituals, customs and beliefs testify to the rich tradition of this area, however, the majority of these rituals exist only in the memory of some people, so it is necessary to write them down.

Keywords

beliefs; Christmas Day; Christmas time; Croatian tradition; folk customs

Hrčak ID:

198788

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/198788

Publication date:

22.2.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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