The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER CONSISTED OF THE TRADITIONAL RED BEET
SOUP CALLED "KIVAS" SERVED ONLY WITH WHITE SLENDER EGG-NOODLES.
HERRING FISH CALLED "SLEDZIE" AND ONLY ONE PIECE OF WHITE HOMEMADE
BREAD WERE ALSO SERVED. THESE WERE THE ONLY THINGS ON THE TABLE.
WHITE DISHES COULD ONLY BE USED TOO. OPLATKI (UNLEAVED (UNLEAVENED)
BREAD) WAS SERVED FIRST. EVERYONE SHARED THEIR PIECE WITH EVERYONE
ELSE. THE BREAD SLICE WAS CALLED "CZERWONI KIVAS" AND WAS ONLY
ONE PER PERSON.

Submitter comment:

MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT THIS CUSTOM. SHE HEARD IT FROM HER
GRANDMOTHER MRS. KATHERINE ANDZYEWSKI IN TOLEDO ABOUT 1930. SHE
WAS 60 AT THE TIME AND DIED 13 YEARS LATER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Date learned: NOT RECORDED