Since pagan times, Maslenitsa has been considered one of the most fun and beloved holidays among the people. Even the Orthodox Church was unable to do anything with this pagan celebration, she only managed to cancel the fixed date of its celebration.
Ancient traditions of the celebration of Maslenitsa
In the old days, Maslenitsa celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox (March 24–25), marking the onset of one of the phases of the national agricultural calendar. It coincided with the most ancient pagan comedians - a holiday on the occasion of the awakening of the bear after hibernation.
The celebration of Maslenitsa continued for a week, each day of which was given its own name. The Maslenitsa "meeting" took place on Monday. On this day she was invited, rising to a dais, and called with various comic names. There is a folk legend telling about how the merry Maslenitsa first appeared in the village.
Once a man went into the woods for firewood and saw a thin girl hiding behind snowdrifts there. He called her to the village with him - to amuse the people. The girl followed him, but only turned on the way into a puffy, ruddy woman with mischievous eyes. She became the embodiment of Shrovetide.
Maslenitsa week
Tuesday was called "tricks." On this day, funny Pancake week games began everywhere. Erected snowy towns, symbolizing the refuge of an evil winter. Swing was everywhere for the girls. On Wednesday, they began to feast on plentiful Pancake week treats, and therefore it was called a “gourmet”. On Thursday there was the widest revelry. This day has received the name "walk-fours." On Friday, the son-in-law went to visit the mother-in-law, therefore she was called "mother-in-law of the evening." Saturday - "sister-in-law gatherings": daughter-in-law invited a sister-in-law to visit. In addition, snow towns were destroyed on Saturday. The participants in the comic battle were divided into 2 teams: one besieged the town, the other defended it. The battle ended with the utter defeat of the town.
However, the main day of Shrovetide was Sunday, which had several names, including "Shrovetide Shrovetide" and "Forgiveness Day." People seemed to start a new life and sought to apologize to each other for all the old insults. The conversation ended with kisses and a low bow. The central event of the last day was the Shrove Tuesday. To do this, a stuffed animal was made of straw and rags in advance, dressed in old ladies' clothes, a pancake or a frying pan was given into their hands, and solemnly carried it through the whole village. Behind the village, a scarecrow was either burned at the stake, or drowned in an ice hole, or torn to pieces and scattered straw in the fields.
