Ancient Mediterranean and Europe: Kupala Day?

Kupala Day?

Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: Regional History or Period History
Forum Name: Ancient Mediterranean and Europe
Forum Discription: Greece, Macedon, Rome and other cultures such as Celtic and Germanic tribes
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31903
Printed Date: 28-Apr-2024 at 05:49
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Topic: Kupala Day?

Posted By: tntchacon
Subject: Kupala Day?
Date Posted: 19-Jun-2012 at 15:19

Hello,

I was reading up on Ukrainian wedding traditions and found this on wikipedia about Ivan Kupala day:

"On the eve of the celebration of Ivan Kupala Day village folks would roam through the forests in search of paporot, an elusive and magical flower that brings great wealth. Unmarried women, wearing a Ukrainian wreath, would be the first to enter the forest. They are followed by young men. If the couple comes out with the young man wearing the girl's wreath, they are engaged to be married."

Did couples actually become engaged on this day? Does anyone know if this was a common occurrence? If so, how long did this tradition persist for? I tried to search for more information but couldn't find anything more. Any information you could give me would be helpful :)

Thank you.

Replies:

Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 19-Jun-2012 at 19:11

I've heard of similar customs in early modern England. On certain days of the year all the rules were turned on their head and young peasants were free to do what they wanted. The aim was to pair up potential marriage partners who would produce the next generation

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Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!

Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 20-Jun-2012 at 19:53

Ivan Kupala Day: the Russian solstice
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5VhTa1Eiq7oC&lpg=PT646&dq=kupala%20day&pg=PT646#v=onepage&q&f=false - http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5VhTa1Eiq7oC&lpg=PT646&dq=kupala%20day&pg=PT646#v=onepage&q&f=false

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Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!

Posted By: tntchacon
Date Posted: 24-Jun-2012 at 22:49

Thanks!

Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 26-Jun-2012 at 19:14

Ivan Kupala=John the Baptist: Jesus' mentor whose martyrdom sowed the seeds for Christianity

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Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!

Posted By: Nick1986
Date Posted: 27-Jun-2012 at 19:29

Kupala was also apparently the name of a pagan fertility god. Perhaps the early Christian missionaries incorporated prechristian mythology to appeal to the population?

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Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!