The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER- WIGILIA

ON CHRISTMAS EVE A POLISH CUSTOM IS THE DINNER, CALLED
WIGILIA, THIS DINNER CONSISTS OF SEVERAL COURSES, AND VARIATIONS
OCCUR FROM FAMILY TO FAMILY. FIRST, A WAFER-LIKE "COOKIE"
SERVED SANDWICHED WITH HONEY, CALLED OPLATIK, IS PASSED AROUND
BY THE ELDEST MALE, USUALLY THE FATHER. HE STARTS WITH HIS WIFE,
OR THE NEXT ELDEST PRESENT. HE TAKES A BITE AT THE SAME TIME AS THE
PERSON HE APPROACHES AND THEN THEY EXCHANGE CHRISTMAS GREETINGS.
THE FIRST COURSE OF THE MEAL IS THE MUSHROOM SOUP. THE MUSHROOMS ARE
IMPORTED FROM POLAND. THE NEXT COURSE SERVED IS SAUERKRAUT WITH
BEANS. FOLLOWING THIS IS BROILED FISH, USUALLY TROUT. THE NEXT
COURSE IS PIEROGI. THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PIEROGI AND FOR
THIS FESTIVE OCCASION ALL ARE SERVED: SAUERKRAUT, AND
PRUNE. THERE IS ALSO A MEAT PIEROGI MANY POLISH FAMILIES MAKE BUT
THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MEAL IS THAT IT IS MEATLESS.
FOLLOWING THE MEAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS ARE USUALLY SUNG.
THE FAMILY RESTS AND ATTENDS THE MIDNIGHT MASS. UPON RETURNING
FROM MASS POLISH PASTRIES ARE SERVED AND PRESENTS ARE UNWRAPPED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1960