Ghost socks
Halloween night is fast approaching. Many people choose to attend costumed parties with so-called spooky themes. In our sock world, socks with ghosts, socks with zombies and socks with skulls are the most popular. They are a great costume element, and a good alternative for people who don't want to dress up. Although Halloween traditions are getting more and more popular every year, in Poland we also have our native customs related to the holiday of the dead. We are, of course, talking about Slavic grandfathers. Probably most of us have already encountered the description of the rituals in our school days. Mickiewicz's Dziady (Forefathers' Eve) may not be the most beloved reading, but often the favorite passage is precisely the part II devoted to Slavic rituals. Mickiewicz, in his work, combined traditional pagan customs with Christian influences. This resulted in a unique whole, which is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Polish literature. The bard describes events unfolding in an abandoned chapel located near a cemetery. Rituals related to summoning the souls of the dead usually took place in isolated places such as chapels or uninhabited buildings. Sometimes, however, the backdrop for conversations with the ancestors became ordinary houses or places associated with the cult of the dead.
How was dziady celebrated?
It's worth starting with just deciphering the term dziady, as it has as many as three meanings. It is called a set of pre-Christian rituals dedicated to the dead, but also the spirits of ancestors themselves. In the Slavic region, grandfathers were also poor wanderers who were attributed supernatural abilities. On the day of the dead, they had to be hosted at home, as refusal would bring misfortune to the entire household. Nowadays, the celebration of grandfathers is primarily associated with autumn, but the Slavs also celebrated spring grandfathers, which they celebrated in early May. The main purpose of both events was to placate the souls of their ancestors, secure their intercession and, above all, facilitate their obtaining eternal peace. The ceremonies were usually held either in homes or in cemeteries at the graves of the dead. One of the key tasks was to feed and water the souls of the ancestors. For this purpose, a feast was held, at which, among other things, honey, eggs and vodka were served. Some of the food was specially dropped on the floor or on the grave so that the souls could be fed. Fire also played an important role, which had a double meaning. On the one hand, it allowed souls to warm themselves and find their way to their loved ones, and on the other hand, it scared away demons that had foul intentions towards people.
