Holidays told by residents
Religious holidays
CHRISTMAS EVE:
Bread is made in the pan. Twisted cake is made, tinsel is made, walnuts are distributed. It is celebrated at home
CHRISTMAS:
Pipers came from Marchevo, girls sang outside, and mothers cooked and made pies. Smoke was burned and fortune cookies were made.
The festive meal was lamb with sauerkraut and potatoes
YORDANOV DAY:
In the church, the boys would "catch" the grandfathers, take them to the fountain to wash them, and they would give them coins.
Since there was no deep river nearby, they threw the cross into the trough of the fountain
BLAGOVETS
It was at the beginning of April (March 25). On this day, children go around the village and ring a variety of bells: bells, rattles, etc. This drives away snakes and other enemies on earth.
SIRNI ZAGOVEZNI
It is celebrated before Easter. A fire was lit and jumped over. White halvah was bought and after dinner the families had "antka". A boiled egg, piece of white hava or other delicacy is tied to a thread suspended from the ceiling, which hangs at neck height. Then they rocked it and whoever caught it with their mouth (without the help of their hands) ate it. Then another hangs.
FORGIVENESS
This was happening the same day. Everyone went to visit their parents, to kiss the hands of the old ones and wanted to be forgiven if they had done something wrong in front of them every other year.
EASTER:
On Thursday, the eggs are dyed red. Friday (Good Friday), Saturday and Sunday and are celebrated. The festive meal was loaves, lamb and liver
GODDESS:
On the day of the Virgin, a lamb was slaughtered in every house and baked in the bread oven. A sacrifice was made, it was given for health
GERGYOVDEN
Surrounded by oak and beech forests is the "St. George". Every year on St. George's Day, a sacrifice is made there in honor of the saint. Lambs are sacrificed. The whole village is present at this Kurban, each bringing a pot-pot or other vessel to pour the Kurban into. The vessels are arranged around the cauldron and the oldest villager, chosen by the church, pours the offering. After pouring the kurban, everyone sat on the lawn and had lunch together. After the lunch, there were curvy people, the girls sang the song "Dear son of St. George".
ILINDEN
To the northwest above the village is the "St. Ilia", where are the cemeteries of the Lower and Upper hamlets themselves.
HOLY SPIRIT
Opposite "St. Ilia" - in the southwest is the "St. Spirit', where the cemetery of the Upper hamlet is. Here also on the holiday "St. Spirit" was made a sacrifice by sacrificing an ox.
SALVATION DAY
On the southeast side of the village is the shrine of "St. Spas". Here on Spasovden, sheep or lambs were also slaughtered for sacrificial lambs, but this stopped due to the fact that the cauldron in which the sacrificial meat was prepared was placed under an ancient oak tree. At one such sacrifice for great misfortune, a snake had climbed up the oak tree. As a result of the steam and the smell, the snake falls straight into the cauldron. The sacrificial offering was poured on the ground, and from that day no sacrificial offering was made there, as the believers believed that the saint did not agree to such a sacrifice being made to him.
DIMITROVDEN
Another vow located above the village is "St. Dimitar". Here, on Dimitrov Day, cattle are slaughtered for sacrifice - an ox. The whole village is present on Dimitrov Day.
Wedding customs
ENGAGEMENT
In the past, every wedding was preceded by an engagement. After the boy and the girl agreed that they wanted to get married, things started with an engagement (heading). On the boy's side, suitors are sent to the girl. They are several people. They are led by the boy's father (future father-in-law). After conversations of a general nature, the question is raised that they have come to ask for the girl. If the parents agree, they call the daughter and ask for her consent.
Sometimes two or more betrothal groups are sent for one girl at the same time. Then he chooses the girl.
A wedding
The groom's people go to get the bride. He walked with a wristband, pita, wine glasses and music.
When they reached the bride's house, the messengers had to ransom her. Then they ask the father "Are you giving it to me", "I am not giving it to you" - he replies.
"How much money are you giving it for?" they asked
They started haggling, arguing, finally giving money and taking it.
The bride was decked out in pendars and flowers and then everyone went to church.
He went to the bridegroom's house to celebrate the wedding.
THEY LOVE THE SHIRT
In the morning, after the young people had slept together, it was necessary to prove / show whether the bride was "honest". Then the celebration continued.
If things were not as they should be, everything was returned - both the chaise and the bride.
Then she could marry again, but elsewhere - in another place.