The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

STAJENKA

EVERY CHRISTMAS IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR POLISH FAMILIES TO DISPLAY
FIGURINES OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY UNDER THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES. BESIDES
STATUES OF JOSEPH, MARY, AND THE INFANT JESUS, SHEPHERDS, SHEEP,
WISE MEN, AND CAMELS ARE PLACED UNDER THE TREE. OFTEN A WHOLE
VILLAGE, INCLUDING HOUSES, FARMS, ANIMALS, AND PEOPLE, IS
CONSTRUCTED. THE NATIVITY DISPLAY IS REFERRED TO AS THE STAJENKA.

Submitter comment: DISPLAYING THE STAJENKA UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS A COMMON
PRACTICE FOR THE INFORMANT.

Where learned: DETROIT