Ukrainian Christmas Carolling Traditions

 In the days following Christmas Eve through to the Feast of Jordan (Theophany), it was the custom in Ukraine for groups of carollers to visit homes in their village or town.  Depending on the locality, the group might have consisted of men, youth, young ladies, older children or a mixed group of young adults.  Often there would be more than one group that would be visiting friends and relatives, singing carols both old and new, bringing good wishes for the Christmas season and the coming year, and soliciting donations for good causes, such as church or school.

In the old country, the group would first choose a “bereza”, their leader.  At each house, the leader would ask the head of the household, “May we carol for you?”  The answer, “Prosymo! (Please do!)” was certain to be heard, for each family was honoured to be visited by carollers.  The leader would give directions and start the carolling.  Very often the group would carry a homemade Star of Bethlehem (6, 8, or 10- pointed) with a candle within and a picture of the nativity at its centre.  It would be mounted on a pole and held high.  A “vertep” (manger scene) was sometimes carried by one of the members of the group.  In some areas, the group would dress as angels, shepherds or other characters from the Nativity story.  They may have presented a short play or skit about the wondrous Christmas story.  Right after Christmas the carols could be heard, but later around New Year’s Eve, and sometimes until the Eve of Theophany, the carolers would sing “shchedrivky” (songs that express good luck and wishes for a prosperous new year).

Today in Canada, it is still the custom for carollers to visit homes of friends and family.  They wish their hosts good fortune and sing the much loved koliadky (carols) which their ancestors did any years ago.  These carollers are still rewarded in much the same way by their hosts – with a treat, a warm drink and a donation to the carolers’ cause.