Polish Spring & Easter Rituals.
Winters in Poland were long and unforgiving. Therefore people are longing for spring, for possibility to grow plants and other vegetation. One of the ancient and pagan habits that supposedly was helping to get rid of winter was Topienie Marzanny "sinking of Marzanna". This habit is still cultivated among scouts or school kids. Kids made a doll from old grass and tree branches and take it to the river. They burn the doll (called "Marzanna", from the word "marznac" means "freeze") and throw her into the river. The symbolic meaning of this ceremony is to get rid of winter therefore it is performed in early spring. http://culture.polishsite.us/articles/art30fr.htm
I borrowed the photo from here: http://www.spbarwaldsr.iap.pl/konkurs/marzanna_001.jpg
Erica, are you game? :)
1 comment:
I'm willing to try anything at this point!
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