Maslenitsa is the Russian version of Carnival, with eating, drinking, sledding, games, and costume parades. Like many spring festivals it's a melding of Christianity and Earth Religion, and all of its events still focus on driving away the winter and re-awakening nature.
In Russia, Maslenitsa lasts the entire week, and ends with Forgiveness Sunday, the day before the start of Orthodox Lent, on Clean Monday (March 7 this year).
Agenda:
1. Make an effigy doll
2. Make blini pancakes
3. Have a fire
4. Spring cleaning
1. Make an effigy doll:
On the first day of Maslenitsa, the young people of each town make a straw effigy doll, dress it in bright clothing with ribbons, and take it around with them all week, for sledding and parties. The party atmosphere grows from day to day, and from Thursday through Sunday no one is allowed to work.
The effigy can be any size, from a small doll to a life-sized statue. One year I made this small doll, and took her with me everywhere, in my pocket and on my handlebars, all week!
3 - Wrap a 6” x 6” patterned scrap of cloth over the head to form a scarf, and tie under the chin with another piece of string or yarn.
The big job I'd like to tackle this week is to scrape and repaint the bathroom ceiling... I've been putting this off for way too long, so I'll be accountable to you each day this week with photos of my progress!
My preliminary paint scraping revealed a hole in the plaster next to the ugly ceiling fan, so Step 2 will be patching the hole...
1. Make an effigy doll:
The Maslenitsa doll is a representation of Jarilo's sister, named Morena or Marzanna, the goddess of death, winter and nightmares. (Instructions for the large doll seen above are here.)
The effigy can be any size, from a small doll to a life-sized statue. One year I made this small doll, and took her with me everywhere, in my pocket and on my handlebars, all week!Supplies: 6″x6″ piece of white fabric, stuffing (or newspaper), craft stick or twig, string, colorful fabric scraps, scissors, needle, thread, pens, yarn
2 - Insert a stick into the open end and tie at the neck with string.
3 - Wrap a 6” x 6” patterned scrap of cloth over the head to form a scarf, and tie under the chin with another piece of string or yarn.
4- Wrap another 6” x 6” fabric piece around the bottom section of the doll and stick to form the body. The open end of the fabric should be at the back of the doll; tie it on with yarn.
5- Wrap a 3” x 6” piece of fabric around the shoulders of the doll to create a shawl and tie the ends together, or pin.
6- Draw a face with pens if you want.
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| This year I made a small doll for my grandson. |
3. Make Blini Pancakes:
The name Maslenitsa comes from the word maslo, which is Russian for butter.
During this week, Russians fast from meat, but eat a lot of rich, buttery blini (pronounced blee-NEE) pancakes. Once Lent begins people will eat even simpler foods, so this is the last chance for feasting!
In Russia, blini are eaten for remembrance of the dead, and also as a symbol of the spring sun. The recipe is here.
During this week, Russians fast from meat, but eat a lot of rich, buttery blini (pronounced blee-NEE) pancakes. Once Lent begins people will eat even simpler foods, so this is the last chance for feasting!
In Russia, blini are eaten for remembrance of the dead, and also as a symbol of the spring sun. The recipe is here.3. Have a fire:
On Sunday, a week later, the whole town gathers to throw the Maslenitsa effigy doll onto a huge bonfire. The doll symbolizes winter, death, and nightmares. The symbolism is of death and rebirth: Burning away the winter so that spring can return.
When I make this fire with children, we talk about the symbolism of burning away the winter so that spring can return. And because most of us have a primitive love of burning things, it takes only a minute for my students to be gleefully on board. We march together out to the fire circle, say a few words of thanks, stick the doll into the ground and watch it burn.
On Sunday, a week later, the whole town gathers to throw the Maslenitsa effigy doll onto a huge bonfire. The doll symbolizes winter, death, and nightmares. The symbolism is of death and rebirth: Burning away the winter so that spring can return.When I make this fire with children, we talk about the symbolism of burning away the winter so that spring can return. And because most of us have a primitive love of burning things, it takes only a minute for my students to be gleefully on board. We march together out to the fire circle, say a few words of thanks, stick the doll into the ground and watch it burn.
This year I didn't have a fire, but I did light a candle and take a moment to say a prayer for the earth, my family, and all that I have to look forward to this spring and summer.
4. Spring cleaning:
In March I take the first steps of spring cleaning - really, spring maintenance - those big jobs that get put off through the winter months.
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| Ugly bathroom ceiling |
My vision is a cool blue sky with a few fluffy clouds, and a sun (around the heat lamp).
How's the bathroom ceiling going? : )
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