Gagauzes are A christian that is orthodox turkic-speaking, the descendants regarding the nomadic Oghuz tribes. The Ukrainian Gagauzes have already been compactly moving into the villages and towns of Bessarabia (Budzhak). The Gagauz tradition, traditions, and food have actually changed because the use of Christianity. Nowadays the tradition of celebrating among the major vacations for the Gagauz individuals, Hederlez or Saint George’s Day, is combining pagan, Muslim, and Christian elements.
Vynohradivka is just a town in Bessarabia, that has been established because of the Gagauzes and Bulgarians within the very early century that is 19th. The town ended up being unofficially divided in to the Bulgarian in addition to Gagauz components. The founders of Vynohradivka (the old title for the town had been Kurcu) originated from the villages Akbiri and Balchik in Bulgaria. Based on the legend now told by the locals, whenever Gagauzes and Bulgarians stumbled on this land, they first let their lambs out to graze. They made a decision to relax where in actuality the lambs discovered meals.
Nowadays the individuals of Vynohradivka earnestly help and develop the Gagauz tradition and discover their mom tongue. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine supports book of textbooks when it comes to children that are local discover the Gagauz language . Besides, the Regional Centre of Gagauz tradition and a museum had been started in Vynohradivka. Composer of 1st textbooks, in addition to manager regarding the Сultural Сentre, is Olga Kulaksyz.
Through the ancient times, the Gagauz calendar had a unique function: it approximately divided the entire year into two periods — summer time and wintertime. Each started with one of the primary Gagauz breaks: Hederlez and Kas?m. This unit is connected with sheep agriculture, which includes been the activity that is main of individuals for years and years. Summertime started with all the Hederlez getaway whenever the herd owners made an understanding aided by the shepherds and handed the herds up to them for grazing. As soon as the time arrived to come back the herds, it signified the start of winter months period. These breaks are provided by many people peoples that are turkic. Christmas got religious context later on, after Gagauzes adopted Christianity.
The Gagauz Hederlez
Hederlez * * Ay Yorgi — Saint George’s Day — may be the vacation for the world’s revival, the initial dew, the offspring that is first. It really is one of the more honoured breaks for many Turkic peoples. The Christian that is orthodox gagauzes this holiday Saint George’s Day and honour it up to Easter. Some time ways of celebration somewhat vary for the different individuals. Crimean Tatars, as an example, celebrate Hederlez on the initial Friday of might, while for the Gagauzes it is in the 6th of May.
In Muslim tradition, this getaway is connected with a gathering of Islamic prophets Illia (Ilyas) and al-Khidr (Khedher) in the world. Ilyas, that is thought to be the patron of water and cattle, arises from the western. Khedher, in change, arises from the East and it is the patron of people. Names associated with two prophets are combined into the title associated with vacation. The day that is first of party could be brightbrides.net/ukrainian-brides the time once they meet, that the Turkic people believe become in the very first week of might.
In Vynohradivka, Hederlez is celebrated in the 6th of might. With this time, they typically prepare kurban , the meat of the sacrificed lamb; kurban bulguru (pirinci) , porr >kurban ekmiaia , bread. The term “kurban” itself means “sacrifice” .
An essential part for the visit to Vynohradivka is planning a dish called kurban bulguru . An entire carcass of the lamb has been donated towards the head of this regional church. Villagers genuinely believe that this brings welfare, comfort and wellness to families within the year that is next.
Everyone else into the village is invited when it comes to party. You can now participate in company of this celebrations:
— who desires can contribute a lamb that is sacrificed. This type of contribution is known to carry a healthy body. If you have no lamb in a family group, it may since very well be purchased.
Villages with churches called after Saint George celebrate the Temple Day (a single day associated with Village) with this time. The church in Vynohradivka is really known as after Saint George, so that the tradition is well-kept.
Then this holiday is celebrated in family circle if newlyweds have chosen Saint George as the protector of their family, or head of the family’s name is George.
Event may be divided in to two phases: spiritual and entertaining. Each day, villagers go to church when it comes to holy solution, after which it they gather for getaway supper and celebrations.
If Hederlez falls using one of fasting days, like Friday, then your meal will contain slim meals only. Fish soup, boiled and fried seafood, pickled herring will soon be served in place of meat.
Following the supper, it is time for celebrations. Within the previous, horse events, sport tournaments, and wrestling had been typically held. Now the structure changed a small, as Olga Kulaksyz states:
In Vynohradivka we’ve no area that is proper hold a horse battle, despite the fact that we do have horses. We conduct sport games feasible to organise: checkers, chess, soccer, wrestling. Wrestling is extremely popular within our area. Therefore the indispensable component is the concert.
Artists off their villages of Bessarabia and Gagauzia are invited to do.
Saint George’s is also celebrated by the Bulgarians of Vynohradivka day. All those who once left the village come back home for the holiday. Some party traditions with this vacation will vary for Gagauzes and Bulgarians. Nonetheless, there are many more similarities.