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POLISH CUSTOM

BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS MEAL EACH
PARTAKER TAKES A PIECE OF EACH OTHER'S
CHRISTMAS WAFER AND WISHES HIM
GOOD LUCK.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM - BREAKING OF "OPLATEK" (ANGEL BREAD)

BREAKING OF THIS OPLATEK WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
AT CHRISTMAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF WISHING EACH
OTHER GOOD TIDINGS AND BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR.
EACH ONE SAYS TO THE OTHER "WESOLI SWIAT
BOZEGO NARODZENIA I SCZELIWEGO NOWEGO ROKU."

Where learned: OHIO ; Sylvania

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS CUSTOMARY IN POLISH FAMILIES ON
CHRISTMAS TO OBTAIN A CHRISTMAS WAFER - OPLATKI (OPWATKEY)
AND AT THE DINNER TABLE IT HAS A PIECE BROKEN OFF BY
EACH PERSON AT THE TABLE. IT IS THEN EATEN AS A WISH FOR
A HOLY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY. IT SYMBOLIZES THE COMMUNION
WAFER IN THE CHURCH AS CHRIST'S BODY.

Where learned: TOLD AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-21-1969

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

A WAFER IS BROKEN AND EATEN BY THE ENTIRE
FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS TO SYMBOLIZE SHARING IN
THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-18-1967

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IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO SERVE A BIG MEAL.
THE NUMBER OF COURSES SERVED IS ALWAYS AN ODD NUMBER AND THEY MAY
INCLUDE DISHES LIKE MUSHROOMS, CABBAGE, PEROGI, STEWED FRUIT AND
HERRING, BUT NO MEAT OR POULTRY IS EVER SERVED. THE TABLE IS
SET WITH AN EXTRA PLACE SETTING IN CASE AN UNEXPECTED GUEST SHOULD
ARRIVE. A PIECE OF STRAW IS PLACED UNDER THE TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY
THE REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST BEING BORN IN A BARN. THE HOST IS BROKEN
AND PASSED ON BY EACH MEMBER SEATED AT THE TABLE AND EACH PERSON
WISHES SOMETHING TO THE NEXT PERSON AS THE HOST IS BEING BROKEN.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS VERY COMMON AMONG POLISH PEOPLE WITH SOME VARIATIONS
AS TO WHAT IS SERVED AND HOW MANY COURSES ARE SERVED. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY STILL CARRIED ON BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME FROM POLAND OR
IF THEIR PARENTS HAD COME FROM POLAND.
OPLATKI

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: CA00001960

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CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, POLISH PEOPLE HAVE THE CUSTOM OF SHARING
AND EATING THE OPLATKI (WAFER) WHILE WISHING EVERYONE AT THE
DINNER TABLE A MERRY CHRISTMAS. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY,
USUALLY THE FATHER, TURNS TO HIS WIFE FIRST, EACH BREAKING OFF
A PIECE OF THE OTHER'S OPLATKI, AND WISHING ONE ANOTHER A
MERRY CHRISTMAS. THEN THE PARENTS TURN TO THEIR CHILDREN AND
GUESTS, REPEATING THE PROCEDURE UNTIL EVERYONE AT THE TABLE
HAS SHARED A PIECE OF HIS/HER OPLATKI WITH EVERYONE PRESENT.
THE OPLATKI MAY BE EATEN DURING THE PROCESS, OR AFTER, DURING
THE MEAL.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: CA00001950S

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CHRISTMAS EVE

WAFER SHARING IS CELEBRATED ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THE BREAKING AND
SHARING OF A WAFER WITH ONE ANOTHER SIGNIFIES PEACE ON EARTH AND
GOOD WILL TO MEN.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A. WE LOVE TO FOLLOW THIS CUSTOM IN OUR HOUSE.
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS CRIES WHEN OFFERING THE WAFER TO THE FAMILY.

Where learned: DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 04-02-1979

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FOOD

"OPLATEK", IS A WAFER THE POLISH SHARE AT CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER.
THEY EACH GET A PIECE WHICH THEY BREAK BETWEEN THEMSELVES, WHILE
WISHING EACH OTHER WELL.

Submitter comment: CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER IS CALLED "WIGILIA".

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 00001920S ; 02-16-1980

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OPLATEK

OPLATEK (ALSO CALLED 'ANGEL BREAD') IS A RECTANGULAR WAFER
MADE FROM THE SAME INGREDIENTS THAT HOSTS ARE. EACH FAMILY MEMBER
OR GUEST THAT IS SHARING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER RECEIVES A WAFER.
AFTER BREAKING OFF A PIECE OF THEIR OWN OPLATEKS, THE INDIVIDUALS
SHARING THE MEAL PASS THEIR OPLATEKS TO THE PERSON SEATED NEXT TO
THEM. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL EACH PERSON HAS SHARED HIS WAFER OF
OPLATEK WITH EVERY OTHER PERSON PRESENT AT THE DINNER TABLE.

Submitter comment: SHARING OPLATEK IS A SIGN OF MUTUAL LOVE, FORGIVENESS, AND BEST
WISHES.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980

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"OPLATEK" IS THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTAKING OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE BREAKS OFF A PIECE OF THE UNLEAVENED BREAD AND
PASSES AROUND THE LOAF UNTIL EVERYONE HAS BROKEN OFF A PIECE. THIS I
CONSIDERED A SHARING IN THE COMMUNION WITH GOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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VIGALIA

A POLISH CELEBRATION FOR CHRISTMAS EVE IS CALLED
VIGALIA. THERE ARE AN ODD NUMBER OF COURSES AT THE
DINNER. STRICT POLISH PEOPLE HAVE STRAW ON THE
TABLE AND ONE VACANT PLACE FOR THE CHRIST CHILD.
THERE IS ALSO A CUSTOM WHERE A WAFER IS PASSED FROM
PERSON TO PERSON, AND EACH ONE TAKES A PIECE.
THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM AND A FAMILY TRADITION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 04-11-1967

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THE BREAKING OF OPLATKI (OH-PWAT-KEY)

THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM OF BREAKING UNLEAVENED BREAD
WITH ANOTHER PERSON ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND EATING THE
PIECE YOU HAVE BROKEN OFF YOUR RELATIVE'S WAFER.
BEFORE EATING IT, BOTH WISH EACH OTHER GOOD HEALTH,
FORTUNE, ETC. IT TAKES PLACE ON CHRISTMAS EVE BEFORE
DINNER AND IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE MIDST OF
SOME STRAW ON A DISH.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 00001967 FALL

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VIGILIA

BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL IS EATEN, EVERYONE PRESENT IS
GIVEN A RECTANGULAR WAFER (OPLATEK) WHICH HAS BEEN
BLESSED BY A PRIEST. THEN EACH PERSON GOES TO ALL
PRESENT AND EXCHANGES BITS OF THE WAFERS WITH THEM
IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER: YOU BREAK A SMALL PIECE OFF
OF ANOTHER'S WAFER, WHO, IN TURN, BREAKS A PIECE OFF OF
YOURS. YOU WISH EACH OTHER SUCCESS IN THE COMING
YEAR. AFTER ALL HAVE BEEN CONTACTED IN THIS WAY, THE
BITS ARE EATEN.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A REMEMBRANCE OF THE LAST SUPPER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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VIGILIA

THE TABLE FOR THE EVENING MEAL USED TO BE SET IN THIS
MANNER: A SHEAF OF WHEAT WAS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF
THE TABLE AND THE WAFERS WERE THEN PLACED ON TOP OF
THE SHEAF. STRAW WAS THEN SPREAD ON THE FLOOR AROUND
THE TABLE AND THE MEAL WAS EATEN BY THE LIGHT OF THE
ADVENT WREATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR

Subject headings: 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-27-1967

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ON CHRISTMAS EVE, FAMILIES OF POLISH ORIGIN TRAVEL TO
THE HOMES OF THEIR MOTHERS AND SHARE IN A MEAL OF WINE
AND UNLEAVENED BREAD. THIS SHOULD BRING HEALTH AND
HAPPINESS INTO THEIR LIVES. IT ALSO SHOWS THEIR LOVE FOR
THEIR MOTHERS.

Submitter comment: MY SISTER, ANNE, COLLECTED THIS FROM A FRIEND, MARJORIE
COSMAN, WHO IS OF POLISH ANCESTRY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented

Date learned: 11-00-1963

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WIGILIA--TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER

AT OUR HOME, WE STILL PRACTICE THE TRADITIONAL WAY OF
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS EVE, "WIGILJA." IT IS A FAMILY
HOLIDAY AND THE SUPPER STARTS IN THE EVENING WHEN THE
FIRST STAR APPEARS.
THE SUPPER ITSELF CONSISTS OF 12 COURSES IN HONOR OF THE
12 APOSTLES. THE OLDEST MEMBER STARTS BY TAKING THE
"OPLATEK," A WHITE WAFER MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER, AND
BREAKS IT WITH THE NEXT OLDEST MEMBER, WISHING EACH OTHER
LUCK AND HAPPINESS. THE BREAKING OF THE WAFER AND GOOD
WISHES CONTINUE BETWEEN EVERYONE ELSE. THIS IS A
PRACTICE WE DO TO THIS DAY.
THIS FINISHED, EVERYONE SITS DOWN TO EAT. IT'S A CUSTOM
TO HAVE AN EVEN NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE FOR GOOD
LUCK. THERE IS AN EMPTY CHAIR LEFT AND PLACE SETTING FOR
AN ABSENT MEMBER OR FRIEND. HAY IS PLACED BENEATH THE
TABLE CLOTH IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE IN REMEMBERANCE OF
CHRIST'S HUMBLE BIRTH.
ALL COURSES SERVED ARE MEATLESS. FIRST THERE IS HERRING,
MARINATED OR IN OLIVE OIL. NEXT IS "BARCZCY, BEET ROOT SOUP
WITH "USZKI," TINY DUMPLINGS STUFFED WITH MUSHROOMS.
THEN TWO KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED, FRIED OR IN GELATIN
WITH HORSERADISH. THEN SAUERKRAUT WITH MUSHROOMS. NEXT
IS SERVED THE MILLET WITH PRUNES OR "KASZA JAGLONA." THEN
THERE ARE CHEESE DUMPLINGS FOLLOWED BY STEWED FRUIT OF
APPLES, PEARS, AND PRUNES. THE MEAL IS COMPLETED WITH
TEA OR COFFEE AND DIFFERENT CAKES FOR THE SEASON, SUCH AS
POPPY SEED, ALMONDS, OR COFFEE CAKE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
"BABKA."
AFTER SUPPER, EVERYBODY SINGS CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY THE LIT
CHRISTMAS TREE. WE BEGIN WITH "WSROD NOCNEZ CISZY," AT
MIDNIGHT'S SILENCE.. OTHER FAVORITES ARE "DZISIAJ IR
BETLEJEM"-TODAY IN BETHLEHEM, "GDY SIE CHRYSTUS RODGI,"
WHEN CHRIST IS BORN, "LULAJZE JEZUNIU," ROCK A BYE BABY
JESUS, AND "PRZYBIEZELIDO BETLEJIM POSTERZE," SHEPHERDS
COME TO BETHLEHEM.
AFTER THE CAROLS, PRESENTS ARE OPENED FROM UDNER THE TREE
AND AT MIDNIGHT THE CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS IS ATTENDED.

James Callow comment: TRANSCRIBED FROM HANDWRITTEN 5 X 8 CARD. SPELLING MAY BE
WRONG FOR THIS REASON.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling
BELIEF -- Good luck

Date learned: 10-28-1967

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WIGILIA

IN POLAND, THE MOST POPULAR SEASON IS CHRISTMAS TO THE
EPIPHANY. THE SEASON BEGINS ON THE VIGIL OF CHRISTMAS
(DEC. 24). THE APPEARANCE OF THE FIRST STAR OF THE EVENING
IS THE SIGNAL FOR THE CLOSEST OF KIN TO COMMENCE THE
TRADITIONAL "WIGILIA" (CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER). STILL
PRACTICED IN SOME VILLAGES IS THE CUSTOM OF SPREADING
HAY BENEATH THE TABLECLOTH. THE SUPPER BEGINS WITH THE
BREAKING AND SHARING OF THE OPLATEK (BLESSED WAFER)
ACCOMPANIED BY A MUTUAL EXCHANGE OF WISHES. THEN AN ODD
NUMBER OF TRADITIONAL MEATLESS DISHES ARE SERVED ONE BY
ONE. AS THE REPAST ENDS, THE STRAINS OF OLD POLISH
CAROLS ARE SUNG THROUGHOUT THE HOUSEHOLD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Menus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.83
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Menus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT WAS A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY TO GATHER
AT THE HOME OF OUR GRANDPARENTS FOR A MEAL AND CELEBRATION.
AT MIDNIGHT EVERYONE TOOK A PIECE OF WHITE WAFER,
CALLED OPLATKI, AND WENT AROUND TO ALL THE OTHERS,
WISHING THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS. THE RECIPIENT OF THESE
GREETINGS WOULD BREAK OFF A BIT OF THE OTHER PERSON'S
WAFER AND THEN OFFER HIM HIS OWN, RETURNING THE GOOD
WISHES.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAYS THE CUSTOMS STOPPED ABOUT EIGHT YEARS
AGO WHEN THE GRANDFATHER DIED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; VARSITY NEWS OFFICE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 04-11-1967

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OPLATEK IS A CUSTOM WHERE THE FAMILY BREAKS BREAD AT
CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 11-12-1967

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MANY POLISH FAMILIES EAT FLAT UNLEAVENED BREAD ON
CHRISTMAS. THE BREAD IS IMPRESSED WITH HOLY PICTURES.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Oplatki

Date learned: 11-02-1967

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