Obzhynky
"I've never heard of this holiday before, but it sounds kinda cool. I mean I've always wanted to learn more about the world. What can you tell me about Obzhynky?"
~ Unknown Individual
History
The origins of Obzhynky is unknown, but some attribute this tradition to a long lost cultures harvesting ritual.
Execution
Obzhynky takes place between the last week of July to the first week of August during the last harvest. After the fields are completely harvested a solitary lump of unreaped wheat or rye is left at the corner of the field. A solemn procession took place around the field that the harvest took place at. The last clump is then tie into a bundle, sometimes known as a Volo's Beard, to keep the benevolent spirits of the gods in the field. In some traditions this last clump is reaped and then taken to the house of the fields master. The clump is presented to the master and mistress of the field in hopes to bless their household. At the conclusion of the ritual the master and mistress of the field conduct a feast honoring the gods of nature and those that made the harvest a successful one.
Participants
The ritual requires the master and mistress of the field to prepare the feast at the conclusion of the festival. The workers harvest the fields and conduct the required rites to keep the benevolent spirits in the Volo's beard for future harvest. In some variations that involve livestock the shepherd or rancher have to conduct an animal sacrifice to the spirits to keep them appeased.
Observance
Obzhynky is most commonly observed in Ukraine.
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