Alcoholic Beverages as Part of Traditional Folk Culture of the Ukrainians in Slovakia

Abstract

The article examines the role of alcoholic beverages as a component of the traditional folk culture of Ukrainians living in South-Eastern Slovakia. According to the research conducted in the area, the use of alcoholic beverages played an important role in family customs and ceremonies mainly in the pre-wedding period (sprosyny) and in the wedding ceremony itself when since ancient times a toast was considered a sign of the girl’s approval. Pouring out the rest of the alcohol from the glass when concluding the wedding agreement, in addition to ensuring a successful life for the young couple, also meant a sacrifice. A man whose duty was to pour alcoholic beverages at weddings and baptisms was called chopnar, while it was drunk from one glass. According to the customary tradition, they put the deceased’s favorite thing in the coffin, a bottle of alcohol to a drunkard, of course. In the past, even annual customs and ceremonies could not do without alcohol. Day of Andrew at spinning (Andriya na vechurkach) was known for its tradition of prophesies during which girls poured melted lead into cold water through a key and tried future according to the shape of the lead. According to the shape of the solidified lead, they tried to predict their future: if it had the shape of a bottle, the future man will be an alcoholic. It was customary on Christmas Eve to put an unthreshed sheaf of oats in the sacred corner of the room and put a liter bottle of alcohol in its center, which was drunk during the consumption of ritual meals. After dinner, the householder poured out the rest of the alcohol to ensure a good harvest and good weather. It was believed that a man was led to drunkenness by an evil, impure force, so they tried to protect themselves from it with magical acts. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is also reflected in proverbs and sayings, as well as in cheerful, joking drinking songs that were sung at weddings, christenings, temple holidays (kermes), feasts.