The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IN UKRAINE ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FATHER OF THE HOUSEHOLD STOOD AT
THE DOOR STEP WITH A LOAF OF BREAD IN ONE HAND AND AN AXE IN THE
OTHER. THEN HE INVITED ALL EVIL SPIRITS, WILD ANIMALS, AND STORMS
TO CELEBRATE WITH HIM. IF THEY DIDN'T COME THEN, THEY WOULDN'T FOR
THE REST OF THE YEAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-19-1967