Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

A thousand years of Balkan tradition: What is Koleda? What is done on Koleda night?

byadmin
January 12, 2025

Koleda is one of the traditional Slavic customs. Traditionally, the time period from midnight to sunrise on Christmas Eve is determined for koleda. With the sunrise, that power fades and koleda ends. Koleda, which is strengthened with rich and diverse folklore elements, includes songs, jokes, proverbs and jokes. So, what is done on Koleda Night?

“Koleda”, known as “Koleda” in Turkish, is a traditional Christmas holiday celebrated especially in some Slavic countries such as Bulgaria and Serbia. The term “Koleda” comes from the winter solstice celebrations of the Slavic peoples and their integration into Christian Christmas traditions.
Koleda can be seen as a mixture of ancient pagan traditions and Christmas celebrations. This period, when the winter solstice was celebrated in pagan beliefs, turned into Christmas celebrations with the spread of Christianity.
1. Lighting a FireLighting a large fire on Koleda Night is an old tradition. It is believed that this fire drives away evil spirits and brings abundance. 2. Singing (Koleda Songs)Communities or children visit homes and sing “Koleda songs”. The hosts give these visitors sweets, fruits or small gifts.
3. Special MealsSpecial meals are prepared for this night. It usually does not contain meat and traditional foods such as beans and stuffed cabbage are served.4. DecorationsThe houses and the surroundings are decorated with branches, leaves and sometimes candles. These decorations symbolize the awakening of nature and the arrival of spring.
5. SacrificeTraditionally, sometimes an animal is sacrificed and its meat is shared with the community. This is done to wish for fertility and prosperity.6. Masked ParadesMasked people wander through villages or cities, organizing entertainment and reviving old spirits. These parades take on a carnival-like atmosphere and are a joyful part of the celebrations.
byadmin
Published
Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

By pressing the Subscribe button, you confirm that you have read and are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Read more