In order to understand Christmas in Tintown for the Gurgon Family we must first explore the traditions of Christmas in Croatia.The family of Steve and Katherine would undoubtedly have celebrated some if not all of these traditions. Living in the best Catholic tradition Katherine who attended Mass often at SS Simon and Jude church in Blairsville, Pennsylvania would have passed on the native traditions to her children. Not only that but Katherine held onto her status as a Croatian not becoming a U.S. Citizen implying that she held a deep respect for her homeland, family culture, and customs.Which would likely have been passed down to her children. As Katherine's middle name is Barbara and it was traditional for Croatians to be named after a saint it is likely that the Gurgon family observed the tradition of St. Barbara's Day starting their holiday season.
"In Croatia, Christmas is observed with much fervor. Since the ninth century, Christianity has been the dominant religion in the country. Like most Western nations, Christmas is celebrated here on 25th December but the preparations for the festival begin since the beginning of the Advent. Women of the house traditionally start baking cookies and cakes from this time.
The Wheat of Saint Barbara table setting.
But the
festivities begin here in real earnestness on St. Barbara's Day (December 4), or St. Lucy's Day (December 13) when
a very popular Christmas tradition is observed in the country.
The mother or female head of every individual family plants wheat
seeds in a round dish or plate of shallow water on this day. Normally these
germinate by Christmas Eve (December 24th) growing about 8 inches tall,
and that is when these are tied together with "trobojnica" (ribbons)
of red, blue and white colour, colours of the Croatian flag. These are spread
around the floors and under the tablecloth for the Christmas dinner.
Sometimes a candle is lit and placed within the wheat along with
other symbolic items. It is said that the light that is seen through the wheat
is a symbol of the soul within every person. According to popular custom, a
prosperous new year is predicted if the wheat grows strong and green by Christmas Eve.
It is
also on Christmas Eve that the Christmas tree is set up and
decorations made in every home though many families begin the process days in
advance.
25th
December is mainly seen as a day of holy observances in Croatia and
hence, though gift-giving exists during Christmas it is not a too
popular tradition in the country. But there are no dearth of gifts for
Croatian children, who recieve their presents around the time of Christmas even
though the occassions and reasons happen to be different. In the northern and
central regions of Croatia, it is St. Nicholas who fills the boots of
young children with gifts on December 6th (St. Nicholas Day). In southern and
north eastern Croatia, it is St. Lucy who is being seen as the traditional
bringer of presents. On December 24th, the Christmas Eve, Santa Claus
and the baby Jesus are believed to be the visitors to many homes, leaving gifts
for good kids.
Feasts
are an important and highly anticipated aspect of the Croatian Christmas celebrations.
Stuffed cabbage, sarma, Dalmatian pot roast, pasticada, walnut roll, badnji
kruh (fresh bread), purica, smlincima and suckling pig form some of the main
items of the Christmas menu in many Croatian homes. Christmas Eve
dishes generally comprise of cuisines like "Bianco and biudetto" (cod
fish), smelts and salted sardines while the Christmas dinner consists
of such delicacies as stuffed cabbage, turkey, zagorje noodles and fig cake.
On Christmas Day,
Croats wish each other 'Sretan Bozic' which is the Croatian way of saying
"Merry Christmas".
The Christmas celebrations officially
come to a close here on January 6 (Epiphany), when local priests
visit the homes of the parishioners to give them their blessings. Christmas trees
and decorations are taken down on the same day in almost every home."
Traditional Costumed girls from Croatia
THE ELEVEN MEN OF CHRISTMAS
Young unwed ladies!
Girls are supposed to take twelve small pieces of paper. On
eleven of them, the name of a local young man is to be written, while one paper
is left untouched. A girl then picks the papers one by one, reads the name, and
throws it in the fireplace. The last paper holds the name of her future
husband, and the marriage will be arranged in the following year. If the last
paper is empty, the girl will remain single.
We did
not try this technique, but sources indicate it only works on St. Lucia’s Day.
So if you take it seriously, be aware of the calendar!
In older times, it was
customary for Croats to search through forests in pursuit of a large log. This
piece of wood was brought home, cleaned, dried and decorated with flowers or
ribbons. It was called badnjak and it is the same word Croats use for Christmas
Eve.
The log would pass through a simple religious ritual. Usually,
the oldest man in the family would sprinkle it with holy water, citing a prayer
or Apostle’s Creed. In some parts of Croatia, badnjaks were sprinkled with rakija, while some
people would also completely submerge it in blessed water.
Badnjak
would then be put on the fire on Christmas Eve, usually in the home’s
fireplace. It was supposed to be in flames as long as it could, so family
members would periodically take turns during the night, taking care that the
fire didn’t extinguish itself.
Unfortunately,
most people in cities don’t own a fireplace, so the tradition is not widespread
anymore.
Badnjak (Croatian)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Badnjak (Croatian pronunciation: [badɲaːk]), refers to a log brought into the house and placed on the fire on the evening of Christmas Eve, a central tradition in Slavic Christmas celebrations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, much like a yule log in other European traditions (in the Bulgarian, Croatian, and Serbian languages, the name for Christmas Eve is derived from the term badnjak) as well as the Croatian name for Christmas Eve. The log is cut with great ceremony on Christmas Eve morning, which for Roman Catholic Croats, is December 24. The cutting, preparation, bringing in, and laying on the fire, are surrounded by elaborate religious rituals, with many regional variations. The log is kept burning throughout Christmas Day.
With increased urbanization and migrations to cities, the badnjak tradition has recently been limited to more rural areas, as many urban homes do not having a hearth or fireplace, increasing the risk of a fire hazard, along with the fact that it is near impossible to cut one's own log in the city. Instead, some may chose to have a symbolic log kept in the home.
Etymology[edit]
The term badnjak comes from the old Slavic words bodar or badar, which means "to be awake" (bdjeti).[1] This refers to staying awake throughout the night to tend to the badnjak and wait for the coming of the saviour, Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. The term badnjak lends itself to the literal meaning of Christmas Eve, with Badnji Dan meaning Christmas Eve Day, and Badnja Večer meaning Christmas Eve night.
Origins[edit]
There are many interpretations for the meaning of the badnjak, but scholars agree that it is a remnant of pagan Indo-European times that has adapted to Christianity. Today, the festive kindling of the log commemorates the fire that—according to folk tradition—the shepherds of Bethlehem built in the cave where Jesus Christ was born, to warm the baby Jesus and his mother Mary throughout the night. The badnjak may also be seen as a symbol of the cross upon which Christ was crucified, the warmth of its fire symbolizing the salvation which, in the Christian belief, the crucifixion made possible for mankind. As the log burned and turned into ashes, it symbolized Christ's resurrection and his triumph over sin. Scholars regard the tradition as inherited from the old Slavic religion, where Christians began referring to the celebration of Christmas as the Feast of Lights.[2] They interpret the badnjak as an incarnation of the spirit of vegetation, and as a divinity who dies by burning to be reborn, to whom sacrifices and prayers were offered for the fertility of fields, the health and happiness of the family, in which the rekindling of the hearth-fire symbolizes its importance and center of family life throughout many generations.[3] In some parts, some people focus more the cult of their dead, where they equate the burning fire to their departed family members.[4]
Preparation[edit]
Among Croats of the Roman Catholic faith, Christmas Eve begins on December 24. Early in the morning, traditionally before dawn, the father or another male of the household goes into the forest to chop a piece of log, usually from an oak tree if it could be found, but if the region does not have any, than beech, olive, or maple can be used. When the perfect tree is found, the father would invoke God by reciting the Lord's Prayer several times and making the Sign of the Cross and would then cut it. When the father arrives back home with the badnjak, he announces "May Jesus and Mary be praised! I wish you a good Christmas Eve" (Faljen Isus i Marija! Dobro Vam došla Badnja Večer), and the family replies "Today and always."[5] The greeting can differ slightly among different regions; in Slavonia for example, the father would say, May Jesus be praised! I wish you a good Christmas Eve and Adam and Eve [feast day] (Faljen Isus! Čestita vam badnja večer i Adam i Eva.) In the Croatian Catholic calendar, December 24 is the feast day of Adam and Eve. The log is placed on the porch and is not brought into the house until the evening.
When evening comes, the badnjak log is placed in the hearth. In Dalmatia, as the badnjak is brought into the home, it is sprinkled with wine and grain. In the southern part, women would adorn the logs with leaves and flowers and wrap them around with red and gold ribbons.[6] In Dubrovnik, the father sprinkles corn and wine on the badnjak while reciting prayers. In other regions, the badnjak is sprinkled with wheat and holy water, while in Hercegovina the badnjak is completely bathed in holy water.[7] As the log is lit, the father of the family recites theApostle's Creed. In southern Dalmatia, the two logs are often placed in the shape of a cross. After the log is lit, he says "Jesus be praised. Welcome Christmas Eve." Sometimes, more holy water is sprinkled on the badnjak after it is lit. Depending on the region, people may choose to sprinkle bits of wheat grain, or even add some of the evening meal to the badnjak. In Istria, if wine or rakija is sprinkled on the badnjak, a family member toasts: "Drink to your health" (Pij u tvoje zdravlje) believing if they don't, ill fortune will come to them. The log is usually allowed to burn all night into Christmas Day, and family members often take turns all night ensuring the log does not go out.
The Badnjak must last all evening and in many regions, it is burned again. In certain regions, it is re-lit in the New Year on the Feast of The Three Kings and sometimes it stays by the hearth until Lent, where it serves as a special log upon which other logs are placed. In the villages, the ashes or charred fragments of the badnjak are scattered in the fields to assure a fruitful crop.
Celebration[edit]
Much like other European countries, Croatia has specific traditional celebrations that go along with the felling and lighting of the badnjak. The day is spent in preparation for Christmas, with the home being decorated and the feast for the next day being prepared, and all chores must be done before the ringing of the church bells and the lighting of the badnjak. The Christmas tree, which first arrived in Croatia in the mid-19th century, is still relatively new and is usually decorated on Christmas Eve. Other more traditional Croatian decorations include children hanging greenery throughout the home, such as holly branches, sage, ivy and evergreen wreaths, which are seen as a symbol of the strength of life in the middle of winter. Nativity scenes are usually present in every Christian home, and are generally kept under the tree or in another prominent location.
Another old tradition is sowing wheat seeds in a bowl of water (usually on St. Lucy's day), which will grow until Christmas and is then used to decorate the table on Christmas. The wheat is trimmed and usually wrapped with a red, white and blue ribbon of the Croatian tricolour. Most Croats put candles or other objects such as apples in the middle of the wheat, with candles symbolizing the birth of Christ. A bundle of straw is brought into the house by the head of the family, who greets the home with a Christmas wish, and the straw is then spread under the table and throughout the house, symbolizing the birth of Christ in the manger. Families usually sit on the straw after dinner when gathered around the badnjak.
Throughout the day, the woman of the house prepares the Christmas meal, which usually consists of many courses and desserts. Traditional foods include lamb, roasted pig,sarma with sauerkraut and sausage, stuffed peppers, pita, salad, and freshly baked bread. Some traditional Christmas desserts include fritule, Kroštule, strudel, orahnjača,makovnjača, Bishop's bread and gugelhupf.
Since Christmas Eve is a fasting day, the family only has a small meal at dinnertime. For Badnjak supper, baklar (cod fish) from Dalmatia is eaten along with a salad or cabbage. A large supply of dried fruits, honey and nuts (mainly walnuts and almonds) are always kept at home and eaten throughout the Christmas season.
References[edit]
- http://www.zupa-svkriz.hr/duhovnost/krozgodinu/hrvatski_bozic1.htm Zupa Sv. Kriza: PRIČA O NAŠEM HRVATSKOM BOŽIĆU
- ^ Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, by Ace Collins; p. 191
- ^ Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan, by Clement A. Miles, p.252-253
- ^ http://www.kbf-st.hr/Casopisi/CUS_2008_1.htm#DRVO_BADNJAK_U_KR%C5%A0%C4%86ANSKOJ_TRADICIJSKOJ_KULTURI_Marko_Dragi%C4%87,_Split Katolicki bogoslovni fakultet-Split, Marko Dragić: DRVO BADNJAK U KRŠĆANSKOJ TRADICIJSKOJ KULTURI
- ^ The Magnificat Advent Companion by James Monti
- ^ Christmas customs and traditions, their history and significance, Clement A. Miles, p. 252
- ^ The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, y G. Q. Bowler
The Christmas Straw
Another custom on Christmas Eve is to put some straw in the
house. Well, a lot of straw actually, since children liked to jump on it before
mattresses and pillows became the usual instruments of flight. However, grown
-ups were supposed to sit on the straw as well- for a very good reason.
It was
believed that, if a man be the first to sit on Christmas straw, most of the
animals in the following year would give birth to female offspring. If a woman
sat on it before a man, it was vice versa. Imagine the shock if you wanted a
rooster in the fall, and you discovered you’d taken a straw seat before your
wife! You had to wait for the whole year for another chance!
THE FEAST OF THE
THREE KINGS (The Magi)
Shrine of the Three Kings [Graves] at Cologne Cathedral, Germany.
The Christmas season ends on January 6, when Croats celebrate
the Epiphany (the feast day of the three kings visiting Jesus). It is customary
for children in rural areas to make a big star, usually out of paper or
cardboard, and carry it through the village knocking on people’s doors and
singing Christmas songs. They are usually awarded with candies for the
occasion.
Christmas Dance in Tintown 1930's tradition:
“Local music-making also provided a diversion
for the Tintown residents, taking their minds off the troubles of the
Depression.
Several young men from the town gained a
following as the "Moonlight Serenaders String Band." Members included
Carmo's older brother Walter, on guitar, along with John Petrikovic, Joe Novak
and Conner Muir--with additional instrumentation on bass, violin and mandolin.
Said George Carmo, "They played on all the
local radio stations," with an eclectic repertoire including renditions of
popular big band tunes.
Vukman recalled the versatile players could
alter their style to suit a variety of audiences--including families of various
ethnicities for whom they would play.
"At Easter and Christmas, they came to our home and all
the neighbors would come over to dance," Vukman recalled.
"The Serenaders liked our house because we
always had wine and beer," he said. "They played American songs and
Croatian songs, too."
He recalled that there were times when the band
also would make the rounds of Tintown, stopping outside each home's window to
offer a selection--hence, the group's name.
The town additionally fielded its own
tamburitzan group, playing on mandolins, Vukman said. "They were
good."
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Bandstand at Christmas, Blairsville, Pennsylvania.
Christmas Tree Farm, Indiana county, Pennsylvania.
John Lazar
"My father was not a train enthusiast, but from my
first Christmas on he always had a train layout under the tree. As seen
on the right photo, below, he would often leave the train layout up for
several weeks after the tree came down. I would have a wonderful time
playing with my railroad. We
moved to Blairsville, PA when I was 10 years old. Blairsville, which was
on the Conemaugh Division of the PRR, had a small railroad yard. Our home
was on the southwest side of the railroad tracks, and the school that I would
go to was on the northeast side. So every day on my way to school I would
have to cross the railroad tracks and would often, as boys are apt to do, detour through the
yard. I bacame totally fascinated with the trains and the yard
operations. It was all of these events, in my early life, that developed
my love of trains. As I grew older that love never waned, it only
grew stronger! “
Read more at ; http://redmountainrr.weebly.com/brass-hat.html
Imagine It's 1937 a deep unbroken shroud of snow covers the ground in Blairsville's Tin Town. The midnight express has screamed by on its way to make a delivery and home for the train crew it's Christmas Eve. The coal stove is in high gear to keep the house warm and the pipes from freezing at the Gurgon's. Pap stays up late into the night smoking his pipe and softly dreaming of youth. Zug a toddler is fast asleep as are Tootsie and Betsy his sisters. Frank and Louie wander up to bed half awake smells of the coming feast invade their dreams. Grandma prepares to leave to catch the midnight Mass at St. Simon's and Jude with Mary in tow. The Gurgon boys, Scottie,Peaches,Opie and Chippy make their way home in anticipation of the morrows Christmas Feast.After Mass Grandma and Mary straggle in from the cold wanting the comfort of the warmth of the stove. Pap awakens and spreads out the gifts from Santa under the simple yet elegant Christmas Tree as Grandma smiles and enjoys the warmth. Thoughts of Johnnie who is in the army and away from home and Anna who is newly married and living in a nearby town invade the Christmas time cheer as missing them that they hold dear. Grandma says a quick prayer and all is retired until the Christmas dawn. 'Sretan Bozic' Johnnie and Anna,'Sretan Bozic' everyone!
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