DOON PO SA AMIN, BAYAN NG SAN ROQUE. MAY NAGKATUWAAN, APAT NA PULUBI
NAGSAYAW ANG PILAY, NAGKANTA ANG PIPI, NANOOD ANG BULAG, NAKINING
ANG BINGI
TRANSLATION: FOUR BEGGARS IN THE TOWN OF SAN ROQUE HAD SOME FUN.
THE LAME DANCED, THE MUTE SANG, THE BLIND WATCHED, DEAF LISTENED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1977

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WHENEVER SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO DIE I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY ARE ABOUT
TO MEET THE GRIM REAPER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION

THE MAIN FEATURE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE IS THE EVENING MEAL CALLED
"HOLY SUPPER" (SVYATA VECHERA). THE SUPPER ON HOLY NIGHT HAS
TWELVE LENTEN DISHES, SYMBOLIC OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES WHO GATHERED
AT THE LAST SUPPER. THESE DISHES OMIT ALL ANIMAL FAT, MILK,
AND MILK PRODUCTS BECAUSE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE THERE IS A STRICT
FAST. THE TABLE IS SET FIRST WITH A SMALL HANDFUL OF FINE HAY IN
MEMORY OF THE CHRIST CHILD IN A MANGER. OVER IT IS SPREAD THE
VERY BEST TABLECLOTH ADORNED WITH NATIVE EMBROIDERY. BREAD (KOLACH)
DECORATES THE CENTRAL TABLE. THE KOLACH IS THREE ROUND, BRAIDED
LOAVES, WHICH IS PLACED ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER WITH A CANDLE
INSERTED INTO THE TOP LOAF, AND THE BOTTOM LOAF IS ENCIRCLED
WITH TINY TWIGS OF EVERGREEN. A LIGHTED CANDLE IS ALWAYS PLACED
IN THE WINDOW AS AN INVITATION TO ANY HOMELESS STRANGER TO JOIN
THE FAMILY IN CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.
PRIOR TO THE EVENING MEAL A SPOONFUL OF EACH DISH IS MIXED INTO
THE FOOD OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS, BECAUSE ANIMALS WERE THE FIRST
CREATURES TO BEHOLD THE NEW-BORN CHRIST. THE FIRST STAR IN THE
EASTERN SKY ANNOUNCES THE TIME FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEAL.
MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GATHER AROUND THE TABLE AND BEGIN THE MEAL
WITH THE LORD'S PRAYER. THE FIRST DISH IS KUTYA , A PREPARATION OF
COOKED WHEAT DRESSED WITH HONEY, GROUND POPPY SEED AND SOMETIMES
CHOPPED NUTS. THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY RAISES THE FIRST SPOONFUL
OF THE KUTYA, AND GREETS THE FAMILY WITH KHRYSTOS RODYVSYA}"
(CHRIST IS BORN}), TO WHICH THEY ALL REPLY "SLAVIN YOHO}"
(LET US GLORIFY HIM). AFTER THIS EVERYONE PARTAKES OF THE KUTYA.
KUTYA IS FOLLOWED WITH AN APPETTZER OF PICKLED HERRINGS OR PICKLED
MUSHROOMS, OR WITH A SERVING OF BORSCH (BEET SOUP). AFTER THE
APPETIZERS COMES THE ENTREES. SOME OF THE ENTREES ARE HOLUBTSI
WITH RICE OR BUCKWHEAT (STUFFED CABBAGE), SAUERKRAUT WITH PEAS,
VARENYKY WITH POTATOES OR SAUERKRAUT (DUMPLINGS), AND MAYBE
BAKED BEETS. FOLLOWING THE ENTREES COMES THE DESSERT, SUCH AS
VARENYKY WITH PRUNES, VARENYKY WITH POPPY SEEDS, AND COMPOTE OF
DRIED FRUIT. AFTER THE MEAL, THE FAMILY JOINS IN SINGING CHRISTMAS
CAROLS AND GENERAL MERRY-MAKING. IT IS STRICTLY A FAMILY EVENING.
AFTER MIDNIGHT THE FAMILY ATTENDS A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE
ENRICHED WITH CHORAL MUSIC. THROUGH THE FOLLOWING DAYS ORGANIZED
GROUPS OF CAROLLERS VISIT THE HOMES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

Date learned: 12-03-1977

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ETHNIC JOKE

HOW CAN YOU KILL 10,000 UKRAINIANS AT ONCE? PLANT MUSHROOMS ON A HIGHWAY.

Submitter comment: THE LOGIC FOR THIS JOKE IS FROM THE IDEA THAT UKRAINIANS ARE MAD
WHEN IT COMES TO PICKING MUSHROOMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

UKRA

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EASTER CELEBRATION

ON EASTER MORNING, FOLLOWING RESURRECTION SERVICES, EACH FAMILY WOULD
BRING A BASKET TO BE BLESSED BY A PRIEST. THE BASKETS WOULD USUALLY CONTAIN
A PASKA, A RICH ROUND BREAD WITH DOUGH ORNAMENTS, SEVERAL HARD BOILED COLORFUL
KRASHANKY (SOLID COLOR EGGS), ONE OR TWO PYSANKY, HAM, SAUSAGE, CHEESE, SMALL
CONTAINERS OF BUTTER, SALT, AND GRATED HORSERADISH. COVERING THE BASKET WOULD
BE MOTHER'S MOST BEAUTIFUL EMBROIDERED CLOTH. THE CLOTH WAS SET ASIDE AND THE
CANDLE IN EACH BASKET WAS LIT TO SIGNIFY NEW LIFE. THE PRIEST WOULD THEN SPRINKLE
HOLY WATER ON THE ARRAY OF FOODS. THIS FOOD WOULD LATER BE EATEN AS PART OF THE EASTER DINNER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAS PASSED THIS CUSTOM DOWN TO COLLECTOR.
COLLECTOR HAS KNOWN THIS CUSTOM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF HIS CHILDHOOD.
THIS CUSTOM STARTED IN THE UKRAINE AND CAME TO THIS COUNTRY WITH THE
IMMIGRANTS. THERE IS A SPLIT BETWEEN WHAT DAY THE BASKET IS TO BE BLESSED.
FOR SOME IT IS ON SUNDAY, AS IT WAS IN THE OLD COUNTRY. BUT MORE CHURCHES
ARE BLESSING BASKETS ON HOLY SATURDAY EVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

663 Holy Thursday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday

Date learned: 11-30-1977

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EASTER CUSTOM

FROM EASTER DAY TO ASCENSION IT IS CUSTOMARY TO GREET PEOPLE
WITH "KRISTOS VOSKRESE}" (CHRIST IS RISEN).
TO WHICH ONE WOULD ANSWER
"VOISTYNU VOSKRES}" (HE IS TRULY RISEN}).

Submitter comment: THIS GREETING HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
THIS IS HOW THE COLLECTOR CAME ACROSS THE GREETING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day
SPEECH -- Formula

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PALM SUNDAY CUSTOMS

UKRAINIANS ON PALM SUNDAY RECEIVE A SINGLE PUSSY WILLOW BRANCH,
WHICH IS BLESSED BY A PRIEST. WHEN FRIENDS MEET EACH OTHER BY
CHANCE THEY TAP ONE ANOTHER WITH THE PUSSY WILLOW SAYING
"NOT I THAT STRIKE THEE, BUT THE WILLOW".

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE CHRISTIANITY WAS ADOPTED
IN UKRAINE IN 988 A.D..
RITUAL WHIPPING

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

663 Palm Sunday

Date learned: 11-27-1977

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THE UKRAINIAN ART OF DECORATING EGGS

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MATERIALS NEEDED TO DECORATE THE EGGS.:
RAW SMOOTH EGG, AT ROOM-TEMPERATURE. WIPE EGG OFF WITH VINEGAR TO
REMOVE OILS FROM THE SHELL. STYLUS-A CONE SHAPED WITH A HANDLE
USED TO DRAW DESIGNS BY FILLING IT WITH BEESWAX AND LETTING THE
WAX FLOW OUT THE TINY OPENING IN THE TIP, WHILE DRAWING THE
DESIGN ON THE EGG. CAKE OF UNBLEACHED BEESWAX.
COLOR DIES: ONCE OBTAINED FROM NATURE, E.G. YELLOW FROM BARK OF
WILD APPLE, RED FROM DEER HORN, GREEN FROM BERRIES OF WILD ELDER,
AND BLACK FROM YOUNG LEAVES OF BLACK MAPLE, BUT NOW MADE FROM
CHEMICAL DYES. DYE MUST BE COOLED BEFORE DYEING THE EGGS.
CANDLE IN CANDLE HOLDER-- FLAME USED TO HEAT TIP OF STYLUS.
CLEANSING TISSUES AND STAINLESS STEEL SPOONS OR WIRE DIPPERS FOR
DIPPING EGGS.
1. HEAT TIP OF STYLUS OVER CANDLE FLAME. DRAW SOME BEESWAX INTO
IT BY TOUCHING THE HOT STYLUS TIP TO THE BEESWAX CAKE. HEAT
AGAIN AND DRAW THE DESIGNS YOU WANT TO TURN OUT WHITE IN THE END.
WHATEVER COLOR IS UNDER THE WAX WILL REMAIN THAT COLOR, UNTIL
THE WAX IS REMOVED AT THE END.
2. IMMERSE EGG IN LIGHTEST COLOR DYE, LET STAY UNTIL THE DESIRED
SHADE IS REACHED. TAKE OUT THE EGG CAREFULLY AND PAT DRY IN A
TISSUE. (DON'T RUB, YOU MAY SMEAR THE COLOR.) 3. HEAT STYLUS TIP
AGAIN AND CONTINUE DRAWING ADDITIONAL DESIGNS, AFTER YOU FILLED IT
WITH WAX. WHATEVER IS DRAWN NOW WILL REMAIN THE LIGHTEST
COLOR DYE. 4. IMMERSE EGG IN NEXT DYE, AND LET DRY AND COUNTINUE
PROCESS OF MAKING DESIGNS. DYEING IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED IN ORDER
OF LIGHTEST DESIRED COLOR TO THE DARKEST. 5. AFTER LAST DESIRED DYE
IS USED, LET THE EGG DRY THROUGHLY FOR AT LEAST TWO MINUTES.
THEN REMOVE THE BEESWAX. -TO REMOVE THE BEESWAX DIP A TISSUE
IN PAINT THINNER OR LIGHTER FLUID, SLOWLY AND GENTLY WIPE THE
WAX OFF THE EGG. -TO PRESERVE THE COLORS APPLY CLEAR VARNISH,
NOT SHELLAC, TO THE WHOLE EGG AND SET ON WAX PAPER TO DRY. THE
INSIDE OF THE EGG DRIES IN SEVERAL YEARS. IF HANDLED CAREFULLY
THE PYSANKA SHOULD LAST FOREVER.

Submitter comment: HANDS MUST BE WASHED OFTEN DURING EGG DECORATING FOR SKIN
OILS CAN AFFECT DYEING.
THIS ART FORM HAS BEEN PASSED ON FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. THE INFORMANT HAS LEARNED IT FROM
HER GRANDMOTHER, AND HAS PASSED IT ON TO HER CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Color Design

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SPECIAL FORM AND PURPOSE OBJECT OF BODILY CONSUMPTION

IN THE UKRAINE MOTHERS WOULD GIVE THEIR SMALL BABIES "KONOPLE"
(HEMP-MARIHUANA), TO INDUCE DROWSINESS, SO THAT THE CHILD WOULD
FALL ASLEEP QUICKLY.
THE MARIHUANA WAS GIVEN IN THE CHILD'S MILK, OR FOOD. SOMETIMES
IT WAS ALSO GIVEN STRIGHT, IN POWDER FORM.

Submitter comment: DRUG, MARIJUANA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Subject headings:

Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption

Date learned: 11-26-1977

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