Shrovetide week: chronology

Shrovetide week is the oldest Russian holiday, which lasts for seven days. At the same time every day got its name, which corresponds to what needs to be dealt with.

The first day, Monday, begins with the meeting of the guests. To do this, prepare a stuffed Shrovetide, representing a female figure, which is performed from rags and straw. The scarecrow must keep in his hands the shaving brush and the pancake, which are symbols of the holiday. Ruddy pancake is associated with the sun. According to the peasants, Shrovetide is a sign that indicates the awakening of nature. In addition, on the first day Maslenitsa festivities are organized, ice slides, from which children roll down with shouts that Carnival came.

On the second day, which is called "Zaigrysh", bride's brides were held. As for the festivities, all the people tried to dress up worse, as far as imagination was enough. In addition, it was necessary once to roll down from the hill, so as not to offend Shrovetide, and so that the Shrovetide days would not have been wasted. Also on this day, everyone danced and sang songs, competitions were organized to climb the pole, and a fight was conducted. Still from the slides, lighted wheels were let out, thus giving a tribute to the sun.

The third day was called "Gourmand". People cooked the most delicious and mouth-watering pancakes. Each mistress had her own recipe, which she kept secret. On the table served light slender pancakes, which were savored with sour cream, caviar, eggs, butter. All the village youth gathered in some house where dances and hymns were arranged, so was the Shrovetide week. People more sedate went on a visit or themselves took relatives and friends.

The fourth day is Razgulay. Even the carnival came in full force. On this day they stormed a snow fortress. The boys were divided into two camps and tried to capture the snow town. The award to the winners was bathing in the ice-hole. In addition, on Thursday, riding horses around the tree. So the Shrovetide week helped the sun to fight against the winter.

Friday was called "Teshchin evening". On that day the son-in-law went to the mother-in-law for pancakes and she tried to regale and welcome him in every possible way. Such visits gave many reasons to compose various songs and sayings. Pancakes were cooked from buckwheat flour, which was grinded by itself.

On the sixth day, called "Zolovkin's sit-downs," the daughter-in-law presented her husband's sisters with gifts. Naturally, the main dish on the table was pancakes, which could be rye, oatmeal, milk, curds and egg. So, the Shrovetide week was coming to its end.

The last holiday, Sunday, was called "Forgiven". On this day, everyone asked for forgiveness from relatives and friends. After the reconciliation was achieved, the Maslenitsa Farewell was arranged. Another name for the closing day is "Tselovalnik", since after reconciliation everyone kissed each other.

In order for the Shrovetide week to be successful, it was necessary to throw away the remains of food and wash all the dirty dishes. After that, the family gathered at the table to taste tea and new hot pancakes.