Lihavõtted Eestis 20. sajandil

Mäetagused

关键词: Southeast Estonia;    Easter;    Easter eggs;    folk calendar;    tradition;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This article aims to present an overview of changes in the Easter tradition in Estonia throughout centuries and to characterise its celebration in modern times. Also, a brief introduction of the local peculiarities of the tradition in a nation state, the role of an individual in continuing the tradition, as well as the impact of politics and the idea of ethnicity on calendar tradition will be presented. For the present article extensive use of one of our most recent Web-based databases/portals, which is intended to inform users about the ritual Estonian folk calendar, has been made. The sources to study the earlier calendar tradition are relatively scanty; moreover, the material has been primarily collected from the town population, especially members of the upper and middle class, which explains why the collectors recorded mostly the tradition of non-Estonians and integrated immigrants. The most popular Easter custom in the European countries and also in Estonia was decorating and eating Easter eggs and giving these as gifts: this is the main private symbol of the date in popular culture. In the Orthodox regions of South Estonia it was also customary to roll the eggs. An important part of the 20th century Easter tradition was self-made or printed Easter postcards sent to friends and family. In Estonia, the postcards usually depicted chickens with painted eggs, Easter bunnies with eggs, willow catkins, etc. Already in the 19th century, the masking and mumming tradition was particularly rich in west Estonia and on the islands, and shared similarities with the corresponding customs in Scandinavia or customs of wider spread. Easter masking and mumming, formerly more widely known, was later observed in the same area, probably because of analogous celebration of other holidays. A characteristic feature of the tradition in western Estonia and on the islands was “mummers” in animal or bird costumes who visited people to wish good luck or health. In the Estonian Easter tradition, decorated Easter eggs played an important role in the communication between relatives, godparents and godchildren, and villagers. Next to expressing liking, respect and family ties, Easter eggs were also used to demonstrate dislike and ridicule. While cracking eggs was a very popular and widespread custom, egg-rolling was mostly known in South-East Estonia, which the whole village gathered to look on. As the period coincided with the beginning of the swinging period, people used to swing, sing, eat home-baked pastry and chat. Over the centuries there have been many outdoor activities and celebrations during Eastertide.An Easter custom practised in northern and central Estonia was board-jumping, which was skilfully mastered by youngsters and children. During the Holy Week and the Easter Sunday smaller rituals of magic were performed to secure good luck and health for the performer. Magic of the period focussed on cattle, aiming to procure them health and growth, and also to protect them against evil external magic. Maundy Thursday marked the symbolic beginning of outdoor work. Good Friday was also good for love magic, to make someone love you or break up someone else’s relationship. In the 20th century many folk feast days turned into important family holidays, which united and strengthened family ties, village communities, relationships between godparents and godchildren, teachers and pupils, friends and relatives. The bulk of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday rituals have disappeared. Easter traditions, on the other hand, have changed over the past few centuries but have retained their manifold relevance. During the past decades, kindergartens, schools and museums have become increasingly important in celebrating Easter and other national and calendar holidays.For example, the list of holidays celebrated in Estonian schools includes a remarkable number of former folk calendar holidays. Official institutions have helped to support and promote the celebration of Easter, which is primarily a holiday of domestic culture; such institutional celebration has helped to preserve many folk calendar holidays and has revived the celebration of others.

【 授权许可】

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