Dozhin

The emblem of the festival "Dozhinki" - "Golden ears"In August, the harvesting and processing of wheat, barley, millet and other grain crops, as well as the harvesting of seeds for the next season, is completed. This joyful and important event for farmers was widely celebrated by our ancient ancestors throughout Europe. Slavic peoples first celebrated Zazhinki (the beginning of the harvest, the Day of the first sheaf). More lavishly celebrated Dozhinki (Dazhynki) - the day of the end of harvest, the holiday of the last sheaf, which fell on the 7th of the last summer month - about the middle of August according to the modern calendar.

Dozhinki in Belarus always celebrated very solemnly with beautiful meaningful rites.

On the last day of harvest, toloka was gathered. The most respected woman distributed everyone in the field, then she took the sickle herself and began to reap with a song that everyone picked up. At the end, each zhneya laid down a spikelet for a common premininous sheaf.

The girls chose in their environment "Bagina". Led by the “Bagina” with a sheaf of milk in their hands, they all went together to the owner’s house. The hosts, hearing the songs of the reapers, went out to meet them with bread and salt. Entering the house, the owners put a sheaf under the images together with a jiggly one. Dance and music began. The ritual dance "Talakukha" was performed.

After the revolution and before the war, the customs of jigs and jigs did not change much. In 1960-1970 socialist rites were actively rooted. The First Sheaf Festival and Harvest Festival were held.

Since 1996, dozhinki in Belarus is held as the Republican festival-fair of village workers.

The holiday includes a procession of all participants along the central street of the city (district center) and access to the central square of the city. In front of the columns carry a flag with the emblem of the festival - "Zalatimi Kalossymi". The holiday lasts two days. On the first day, a solemn meeting is held, after which the best combine harvesters and drivers are awarded. After the concert of the best folklore groups of the republic begins. Exhibitions of works of folk craftsmen are held. On the second day, folklore groups disperse around the area. And in the city itself, agricultural products and equipment are demonstrated. At several venues there are concerts, lottery, folk games and fun.