Riddles of the winter celebration: What unusual New Year traditions do the peoples of Russia keep?
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- Riddles of the winter celebration: What unusual New Year traditions do the peoples of Russia keep?
New Year in Russia is not just a calendar date, but a complex, multifaceted cultural phenomenon. It incorporates the centuries-old traditions of dozens of nations, creating an amazing mosaic where respect for the past is harmoniously combined with hope for a common future. Lights are lit from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad on New Year's Eve, symbolizing the hope of a miracle and the beginning of a new cycle. However, the usual image of Santa Claus and an elegant Christmas tree hides a colossal ethno-cultural diversity, where each nation has its own unique rituals, heroes and beliefs that form a unique picture of the holiday. For more information, see the Izvestia article.
New Year traditions of the peoples of Russia: oriental customs
While the central regions of Russia are preparing for the visit of Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, in the national republics the festive procession is led by other mythological characters. Their images, rooted in ancient beliefs and totemism, give winter celebrations a special, sometimes sacred meaning.
In Buryatia and a number of other Buddhist regions of Siberia, Sagaan Ubugun, or the White Elder, is an important image of winter holidays. This character, associated with ideas about well‑being, longevity and wisdom, dates back to the Buddhist-shamanic tradition. His white suit symbolizes purity and blessing, he can hold a Buddhist drum or a rosary in his hands, and his appearance is accompanied by wishes for the health and prosperity of the family.
In Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, Kysh Babai, which literally translates as "winter grandfather", distributes gifts to children. His constant companion is Kar Kyzy, a Snow Girl, in some versions, a granddaughter. The image of Kysh Babai is more secular, but there are tangible echoes of ancient ideas about the winter patron spirit. He is often depicted in an embroidered skullcap and dressing gown, and he travels by horse-drawn carriage, reflecting local cultural characteristics.
Traditions of New Year's Eve celebrations in the North of Russia
For the indigenous peoples of the North, winter holidays are closely intertwined with the cycles of nature, hunting and reindeer husbandry. Their calendar celebrations are often timed to coincide with the change of seasons and symbolize the victory of light over darkness, which is reflected in special rituals and rituals.
The Yamal Nenets have winter rituals associated with observing celestial phenomena and the changing seasons. In a number of traditions, deer sacrifices play an important role to the supreme deity, who is expected to protect and succeed in his crafts. The meat of a sacrificial animal is eaten during a common meal, which helps to strengthen community ties and a sense of unity of the family.
In winter, the Sami people of the Kola Peninsula turn to the image of the sun goddess, who embodies the return of light and prosperity. In some communities, the practice of fortune-telling on molten metal was widespread: it was poured into snow or cold water, and they tried to predict the events of the coming year using the bizarre contours of the frozen figure. In ritual culture, there were also symbolic actions associated with seeing off the passing year and clearing the space for a new one.
Caucasian New Year traditions
In the Caucasus, New Year is primarily a family holiday filled with deep symbolic meaning, rituals of purification and attraction of well—being. In different republics, it is closely intertwined with religious and local calendar traditions.
In Dagestan, Ossetia, Chechnya and Ingushetia, preparations for the holiday traditionally begin with a thorough cleaning of the house and putting things in order. Plentiful food is served on the table, which includes both everyday and ceremonial dishes, and the housewives strive to meet the new cycle "from scratch." In a number of places, rituals related to fire are practiced: bonfires or candles are lit, which symbolizes the protection of the house and renovation.
Various forms of fortune-telling remain, especially popular among young people. Girls may try to find out their future fate by the shadows, by objects hidden under the cloth, or by the behavior of pets, and older family members give their blessings for the coming year.
New Year customs of Altai
In some regions of Altai, the most important winter celebration is Sagaalgan, the Lunar New Year holiday, also known as the White Month. It is associated with the concepts of purity, renewal, and the blessing of a new life cycle. Festive rituals include both Buddhist and local Turkic‑Mongolian elements.
One of the central rituals is considered to be the sprinkling of milk or milk vodka (araka) on homes, hearths, outbuildings and livestock. In this way, they seek to appease the host spirits of the area and enlist their patronage. Visits to older relatives and the utterance of traditional good wishes that strengthen family ties and respect for ancestors remain an important part of the holiday.
New Year traditions and customs of the Volga region
In the Volga region, where different peoples have been living side by side for centuries, winter holidays are a bizarre fusion of pagan beliefs and Christian customs. Many rituals here are aimed at ensuring the harvest and offspring of livestock, as well as protecting the home and family in the new year.
The Mari people have preserved the ceremonial holiday Shorykyol ("sheep's foot"), which falls during the Christmas and Yuletide cycle in winter. Young people and children walk around the yards, fulfilling special song wishes. Among the ritual actions, there is also the "trampling" of snow in the yard, symbolically resembling the movement of a flock of sheep and designed to bring good luck to the owners in animal husbandry.
In the Udmurt villages, the custom of mummification was widespread in the winter, especially Christmas, cycle. Young people put on turned-out fur coats, animal masks and went house to house to scare away evil spirits and attract prosperity to the house. Fortune—telling occupied a significant place, especially among girls who wanted to know their fate: they used rings, water, mirrors, and observed the behavior of pets.
Modern New Year traditions of the peoples of Russia
In modern Russia, especially in large multinational centers, the process of integration of various traditions is noticeable. Ethnic Santa Claus families become participants in citywide celebrations, and elements of national cuisines and rituals are included in the New Year's repertoire of many families.
The authorities of the national republics and activists of cultural communities are making significant efforts to preserve and popularize unique rituals. Festivals and ethnic festivals are held, including winter programs dedicated to the traditions of Yamal, the North, the Volga region and Buddhist regions, which are visited not only by locals, but also by tourists. This allows us to get to know the rich heritage of the peoples of Russia in practice and helps strengthen interethnic dialogue.
All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.
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