I am doing some researchs about the area, and was wondering about it! I learn about Pysanky eggs, but not sure of the origin of the tradition. Also, I wonder what they are drinking there during meals, like using Samovar (like Russians) or something else…
Andrew Larder
The author loves Russian collectibles, and the uniqueness and craftsmanship involved with Russian souvenir items.
The author loves Russian collectibles, and the uniqueness and craftsmanship involved with Russian souvenir items.
From http://www.ukraine.com/
(There are lots of articles about the history and features of the Ukraine at this site).
http://www.infoukes.com/culture/
(Amazing storehouse of info about Ukraine)
Ukrainian Architecture:
http://www.infoukes.com/culture/architecture/
Ukrainian culture is richly embedded in ancient traditions. Even today many historical songs such as the dumy and the playing of the kobza – which was popular during the 16th century – is still enjoyed. However music has also come a long way since then and Polissia magic pop and Kolomiya rap tend to be most popular. The culture scene has also seen a resurgence of Cossack songs and song poetry. There are also a number of cultural festivals such as the Tavriya Games which are most popular.
The Ukrainian people also enjoy their culture in the form of traditional dances and dance games. Many of these originated in rural Cossack villages and some of the oldest dances can be traced back to ancient cults. Traditionally many of these dances were performed only by males or females but today both sexes sometimes mix and enjoy the dance together. Appreciation for these dances is usually kept alive by Ukrainian dance troupes.
Many people do not know that the tradition of the Easter egg had it’s beginnings in the Ukraine. In times gone by (and still sometimes today) these eggs were drawn on with wax to create pattern. Dye was then added to give the eggs their delightful colors – the dye not affecting the wax coated parts of the egg. Once the whole egg was dyed, the wax was removed leaving only the colorful pattern. The tradition is thousands of years old and predates the arrival of Christianity in the country. While Christians interpretations of this practice abound, many Ukrainians still believe that the egg has immense power and releases the earth from the restraints of winter. Even the designs have meaning and the eggs are usually given as gifts or used as decorations.
Tough question to answer, since their culture is so much different than US culture. If you have specific questions, ask. Otherwise it is nearly impossible to tell you “the features”.
In general, they have what I refer to as “1950′s US” moral values concerning family. The women are hard working, and their main focus is on caring about their families. The men tend to be the “businessmen” and are generally “in charge” of the family (the women really run the family, as in most cultures). But women are considered “the property” of the man.
Ukrainians rarely drink during a meal, as Americans do. Drinking is a “meal” of it’s own. Often, they will drink a cup of tea or coffee after the meal.
When they do drink, the men usually drink vodka, and the women “Martini” (which is actually an Italian vermouth). Many younger people (20′s) drink beer. Smoking is heavy.
The post before me is partly correct about the eggs. They did predate Christianity, as eggs were a common peagan symbol of life in many cultures (Greeks, Egyptians, Hindus, Persians, Phoenicians). It was considered the “start of life”, a symbol that Ukraine still sees in the Pysanky eggs.
The custom of painting eggs comes from ancient times. Pagans threw the eggs into the fire to please the gods. To make the gods temper justice with mercy people painted eggs in different colors. The patterns and symbols are specific to a region and/or villiage, and have great historical meaning to Ukrainians.
The various designs on the eggs are made in different ways. For example, in the Bukovyna region painting with the help of wax is used. Around Volyn and the Carpathians the technique of scraping away the dye from the painted egg is used. In the far West, eggs are carefully hand painted with brushes using intricate patterns. The painting of eggs in only one color– red, blue, green, yellow– without any ornament is used widely in all the regions of Ukraine. The eggs are put into the boiled broth of onion peels, different plants, rinds, and aniline (a chemical). Eggs painted in such a way are called “krashenky”.