The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RUSSIAN NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTUMS

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS PUT ON
UNUSUAL OR FUNNY COSTUMES AND WENT FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TO HAVE FUN. IT IS A LOT LIKE HALLOWEEN IN THE UNITED
STATES. ALL THIS IS FORGOTTEN NOW.
ALSO ON THIS EVENING, TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD GO OUTSIDE
BETWEEN TEN AND ELEVEN O'CLOCK. A GIRL WOULD ASK THE FIRST
MAN SHE SEES HIS FIRST NAME AND THIS WOULD BE THE NAME
OF HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
ALSO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, SOME TEENAGE GIRLS WOULD PUT
A LARGE MIRROR IN FRONT OF THE DRESSER MIRROR FACE
TO FACE. THEN THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT AND PUT A CANDLE
ON EACH SIDE OF THE FIRST MIRROR. THEN A GIRL LOOKED
OVER ONE MIRROR AT THE OTHER IN SUCH A WAY THAT SHE
SEES A CORRIDOR. BY CONSTANTLY STARING AND USING THE
IMAGINATION SHE BEGINS TO SEE SOME SHADOWS, THEN A FORM,
AND FINALLY SHE SEES A BOYFRIEND OF HERS. THIS WILL BE
THE ONE SHE WILL MARRY. THE OTHER GIRLS TAKE THEIR
TURNS ALSO.

Submitter comment: THESE CUSTUMS TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

James Callow Keyword(s): VISITING

Date learned: 12-00-1983