Summer Day with ancient pagan rites that are still performed today
2023-03-14 09:02:47
TiranaPost
Midsummer's Day rites have their origins in ancient times. Once the dedications are dedicated to the goddess Diane and the cult of the sun, but even today they are practiced for a better life filled with joy, love and prosperity. In different cities of the country, the rites are treated and are different, but basically it is celebrated for the renewal of nature, the extension of the day and the prosperity of the crops. Elbasan is the city where the celebrations of this day are most concentrated.
The first phase is the preparatory phase that starts with the collection of the tasks that are necessary for the Summer Day. The second phase is the Midsummer night starting March 13 with the bonfire, the third phase is the Midsummer's Day morning starting March 14 and finally the Midsummer's Day picnic at noon on March 14.
The gate of the house or the door is decorated with flowers and green shoots, which symbolize the introduction of goodness and nature.
Typical foods for the celebration of this day are: ballokumja, kabunia, boiled corn, Elbasani pistil pan, generally dishes with cereals that symbolize bereket.
The fire that is lit on March 13 has a purifying meaning to give strength to the sun in the yard and gardens. Magical rites were performed by women against other harmful and predatory beings.
Summer is a symbol of this day that unites many areas of the country. It is installed on the morning of March 14 and removed on March 22. It hangs on the branch of a rose or pomegranate for the swallow to take.
In some areas such as Berati or Narta, the Summer Day celebrations are also accompanied by carnival performances. In some other areas, village or neighborhood children gather and knock on every house to ask for boiled eggs and sweets. From year to year, many things are removed and added to the celebrations of this day, but basically the rites that evoke the renewal of nature and the human body, the warming of the weather, good luck and prosperity, remain the same.
*This is an article reproduced in Tiranapost
