Literary maven Moonrat posts "Yiddish Saying of the Day" on her terrific blog, Editorial Ass (short for "Assistant," of course) I'm going to take a page from her and post Ukrainian proverbs.In honour of Rizdvo, or Christmas, which was January 7th by the Julian Calendar:
May your wheat grow so thick even a snake can't get through it!
I will now hand things over to Baba, my narrator. When a malcontent refugee grandma slings borshch, there's mayhem in the kitchen:
Hello everybody, Baba here. I ask Reisichka to put this proverb on site today because yesterday was Ukrainian Rizdvo, or Christmas, by Julian calendar. Baba is not big fan of Julian, but at least this way she get twice as many present. Ha!
Winter Solstice is continuation of Ukrainian agricultural wheel of year. You give biggest blessing when you wish for someone large crop. In some family, father stand behind stack of wheat at dinner table and play peeking boo. He say in big thunder voice like Perun, "Can you seeeee me?"
Family say, "Yes tato, we can see top your bald head."
Father reply, "Next year, wheat crop will be so huge, you will not see me. Also, I pay for good toupee."
We bring nother, special sheaf of wheat in house call didukh, or grandfather. It sit in corner and represent ancestor spirit.
Baba now tired from explaining. She have to go prepare for Malanka, Ukrainian New Year. On January 13th, she is playing principle role when her community reenact Persephone journey to Underworld. She is still auditioning for man to play god of Hell. And you thought your New Year was lots work.
(Coming next: Baba tells fortunes in the bania, Ukrainian bath house)
Copyright 2009 Reisa Stone My Goat Prefer Naked: Ukrainian Soul Food With Stories From the Village
Hello everybody, Baba here. I ask Reisichka to put this proverb on site today because yesterday was Ukrainian Rizdvo, or Christmas, by Julian calendar. Baba is not big fan of Julian, but at least this way she get twice as many present. Ha!
Winter Solstice is continuation of Ukrainian agricultural wheel of year. You give biggest blessing when you wish for someone large crop. In some family, father stand behind stack of wheat at dinner table and play peeking boo. He say in big thunder voice like Perun, "Can you seeeee me?"
Family say, "Yes tato, we can see top your bald head."
Father reply, "Next year, wheat crop will be so huge, you will not see me. Also, I pay for good toupee."
We bring nother, special sheaf of wheat in house call didukh, or grandfather. It sit in corner and represent ancestor spirit.
Baba now tired from explaining. She have to go prepare for Malanka, Ukrainian New Year. On January 13th, she is playing principle role when her community reenact Persephone journey to Underworld. She is still auditioning for man to play god of Hell. And you thought your New Year was lots work.
(Coming next: Baba tells fortunes in the bania, Ukrainian bath house)
Copyright 2009 Reisa Stone My Goat Prefer Naked: Ukrainian Soul Food With Stories From the Village
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