Inventory

Region: District:

The Christmas Rite of ‘Ščadrec’ Roh Village, Salihorsk District, Minsk Region

Cipher (in the State list): 63БК000059

Date inclusion: 19.08.2009

№ Protocol Rada: Пратакол пасяджэння Беларускай рэспубліканскай навукова-метадычнай рады па пытаннях гісторыка-культурнай спадчыны ад 28.05.2009 № 155. Пастанова Савета Мiнiстраў Рэспублiкi Беларусь ад 19.08.2009 № 1088

Cipher (in inventory): НКС-140508/01

Identifying the elements of the ICH

Name:

The Christmas Rite of ‘Ščadrec’ Roh Village, Salihorsk District, Minsk Region

The second item name ICH (adopted in a particular community, the local version):

Corresponding to (s) Community (s), group (s) or individual (s) described:

Habitat:

Minsk region » Saligorsk district » Roh Village;

Short description:

The Christmas Rite of ‘Ščadrec’ (Bountiful Night) takes place on the 13th of January, which is Bahataja Kuccia (Orthodox New Year’s Eve), and is a distinctive demonstration of the local cultural tradition of Roh Village. This rite is one of New Year’s walking greeting rites, practiced mainly on the territory of Belarusian Palessie (the southern part of Belarus). Ščadravannie (the rite of going door to door to sing carols, which is paid back by the households with treats or money) is performed with the participation of traditional masked characters: Dzied (an old man), Baba (an old woman), Kaza (a goat), Žuraviel (a crane), Koń (a horse), etc. The Dzied is a unique character of the carol singing group with his birch-bark mask, having no analogues in Belarus. His mask is made in the form of a cylinder hat, its top part forming a cross, which is a symbol of the sun. The rite group moves along the village from East to West — same as the sun goes — missing none of the households, except for those who might be mourning. The locals believe that carol singers’ visit will help their wellbeing and good health through the whole coming year. This Rite is safeguarded by the participants of ‘The Palesskija Krynicy’ folk-group (The Springs of Paliessie), which belong to the Vosava Village’s Dom Cultury (a culture and recreation center). The group has its satellite group for children named Ručajok (The Little Stream).