Latvian annual festivals at astronomicaly significant points of the tropical year

1. Latvian annual festivals at astronomicaly significant points of the tropical year

2. Latvia�s seasonal traditions orginated in the woodlands and countryside and reflects the values adn lifestyle of people vho worked and loved the land. Latvia�s ancient seasonal traditions not only remain popular today. They have become an integral part of contemporary Latvian society.

3. Lieldienas ( Vernal Equinox) - Easter According to folk tradition Lieldienas has arrived when the day has become longer than the night for the first time that year. One the most important rituals is hanging of the swing and swinging.

4. According to arhaic beliefs, swinging is connected with fertility, and it must be done, so the livestock will do well. In the past eggs were a symbol of life, eggs were coloured with onion skins adn rye shoots, they are primary Lieldienas( Easter) foods.

5. Jani ( Summer solstice) � Midsummer In nature it is the longest day and the shortest night. For the farmer ploughing, sowign and weeding work is done before Midsummer. All of the herbs and flowers collectecd at midsummer are known as Janiherbs. During this time the collected herbs are attributed special healing power. Women and girls make wreaths for all celebrants to wear. Women traditionally wear flower wreaths while those worn by men are made of oak leaves.

6. For the Midsummer celebration the mistress makes cheese( Janu siers), but the master brews beer. The most colorful Midsummer traditions are the Midsummer folk songs with a charecteristic refrain � ligo, ligo. Celebrations can not imagined without Jani � fires witch are made at the top on the hills

7. Mikeli (Autumnal Equinox) By the celebration of Mikeli all crops must be stored and the gardens harvested, as after Mikeli the gates are open for winter. At the conclusion of the reaping work the most important assignment for reapers was the driving or catching of Jumis. Jumis has two meanings � two ears on one stalk or two fruits or vegetables that have grown together. In addition, Jumis in latvian beliefs is a field spirit and embodiment of fertility.

8. As a special Jumis food, a particular Jumis loaf is baked. It is larger than the usual bread loaf, and it is great honor to eat this. When the harvest is completed the festival of Apjumibas is celebrated.

9. Ziemassvetki ( Winter Solstice) - Christmas The winter solstice was celebrated when the night was longest and the day shortest. In the Christian tradition Christmas is the birth of Gods son, but in traditional Latvian culture it is rebirth of the Sun maiden. During Christmas rooms are decorated with three �dimensional straw or reed ornaments � puzuri. The best known Christmas tradition is mumming. The mummers are costumed and in different masks.

10. The most common traditional masks are bears, horses, cranes, wolfs, goats, death. The mummers bring a home blessing, encourage fertility. An integral part of Christmas was a generous banquet whose included a pig�s head. Traditional foods were peas, beans and barley sausage.