1st of SeptemberThe 1st of September is traditionally the first day of school. This day is especially important for children who go to 1st grade. Their whole family celebrates, as this is the first step towards becoming independent. Children of all ages dress up for that day, and some wear school uniforms, although this is more common in private schools than state schools. Even though there is no specific food for the first day of school, most families have fancy dinner that day, and often cake is served. Some families also take their children to restaurants. |
Baptism of foxesBaptism of foxes is a ritual that takes place when a student starts his/her freshman year in college or university. The ritual is conducted by the senior year, they are called ‘Gods’. The freshman year students are called Foxes. College ritual involves physical trials, marking foxes, and taking a fox’s oath. The baptism period may last from a day to a week, depending on school. During the week, foxes are given simpler tasks, like bringing gifts to their gods and wearing clothes or costumes that their god had chosen for them. The week is concluded with physical trials that involve competitions, games, and challenges., fox’s oath that will be read out by the gods, foxes then recite it, and a Party. |
Photo credit: VisualHunt, author: Joe Shlabotnik
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Photo credit: Commons Wikimedia
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Photo credit: Commons Wikimedia, author: Romer Jed Medina
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St. Martin's Day10. November St. Martin's Day is celebrated on the 10th of November (Killing, 2017). On the eve before, children go out wearing dark-colored disguises ( Eesti Kirjandusmuuseumi Eesti Rahvaluule Arhiiv[EKM ERA], 2017). They go from door to door and ask permission to get in by singing ancient folk rhymes. Once inside, they sing and dance to bring good luck to the family and get something to eat in return. In the old days, people used to give Martin's leftovers from their dinner; nowadays, they mainly offer sweets. St. Martin's Day has traditionally meant a quite meat-heavy diet for Estonians. Poultry was very important, and those who were more well off ate goose for dinner. Kvas and beer were also very popular (EKM ERA, 2017). Photo credit: VisualHunt, author: Mart Laanepere
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All souls Day2. November On the 2nd of November, we celebrate All Souls Day; during that day, it is a custom to place a candle on your window, so the dead can once again find a way home. Candles and flowers are also placed on the graves of the lost ones. The day is mentioned in sources that date back to the 14th century. According to the folk calendar, one of the customs was to prepare a table with food and cutlery on the evening of November's first Thursday. The host would sit down at the table and call out the souls by name, so they could come and join the meal. In turn, the host would ask the souls to bless his fields and cattle. During the Middle Ages, people also cooked bread on that day and called it 'Soul bread'. Photo credit: Tiina Vänt
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St. Cathrine's Day25. November St. Catherine's Day is celebrated on the 25th of November. This day is similar to St. Martin´s Day, since on this day people also go from door to door wearing disguises. However, the disguises are more fancy and feminine (Killing, 2017; Hussar, 2019). Even men go out wearing female clothing. Another difference stems from the fact that the Catherines didn´t have to ask for permission to enter. Meat was not as important on St. Catherine's Day, people rather ate porridge, beans and kama (EKM ERA, 2017). Photo credit: Tiina Vänt
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Authors:
Karl Margus Haud
Dima Papushin
Elsi Paas
Anna Poobus
Maimu Sisask
Simona Stenberg
ELU projekt
2022
Karl Margus Haud
Dima Papushin
Elsi Paas
Anna Poobus
Maimu Sisask
Simona Stenberg
ELU projekt
2022