The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS

WE DON'T ACTUALLY CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS DAY, BUT WE CELEBRATE
CHRISTMAS EVE. THE TRADITIONAL DINNER STARTS THAT NIGHT WHEN THE
FIRST STAR APPEARS IN THE SKY. THE MEAL HAS TWELVE COURSES AND
IT IS OBLIGATORY THAT THE FAMILY SING A DIFFERENT SONG BETWEEN
EACH. THE FIRST COURSE IS BEET SOUP (BORSCH). INSIDE THE BORSCH
THERE IS A DUMPLING STUFFED WITH MUSHROOMS. NEXT IS POTATO
DUMPLINGS(VARENKY), TWO COURSES WITH VARIOUS FISH(ONE BROILED
PIKE AND ONE CARP). THE TRADITIONAL BREAD IS UNLEAVENED CALLED
PASKA. FOR DESSERT WE HAVE KUTYA WHICH IS POPPYSEEDS, OATS, WALNUTS
AND A LOT OF SUGAR MIXED TOGETHER AND COOKED FOR SIX HOURS.
IT IS VERY SWEET. ANOTHER DESSERT IS KOMPOT. THIS IS A MIXTURE OF
DIFFERENT FRUITS--APPLES, PEARS, DATES, FIGS, CHERRIES--ALL IN THEIR
OWN JUICES. A SPECIAL THREE-LAYERED CAKE, EACH WITH A DIFFERENT
JELLY IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER COVERED WITH CHOCOLATE IS NEXT. IT
TAKES THREE HOURS TO EAT AND AFTER THE MEAL WE GO CAROLING
FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE IN UKRAINIAN. AFTER THAT WE GO TO MIDNIGHT
MASS WHICH IS TWO HOURS LONG WITH MUCH BELL RINGING. CHRISTMAS
DAY WE WAKE UP AND REPEAT THE WHOLE EATING AFFAIR AT LUNCH BUT
THIS TIME IT IS AT OUR HOUSE AND NOT MY GRANDMA'S. WE GO OUT
AND CAROL SOME MORE. WE OPEN OUR PRESENTS CHRISTMAS EVE. WE GET
A PRACTICAL GIFT AND A GIFT THAT WE WANT. INSTEAD OF A CHRISTMAS
TREE WE HAVE A SHEAF OF WHEAT IN THE CORNER BECAUSE THE UKRAINE
IS THE BREAD BASKET OF THE WORLD. IT IS CALLED DIDUH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1965