Seasons in the sun

The long, cold winter nights were over and the sun was beginning to warm the earth. Spring was in the air and it was time to celebrate.

A PROCESSION: To mark the end of winter.

Spring was everywhere. People were smiling, strolling, picnicking and there was laughter all around. I had never been to Poland around this time and I thought a visit would be appropriate. I was sure they had some celebrations to ring in the spring. So off I went...

End the cold

Poland is in Central Europe and is officially known as the Republic of Poland. Winter is severe and in many northern regions temperatures drop to -30°C. Sub-zero temperatures are recorded between November and March.

I was in time to see a procession, carrying what looked like an effigy in straw, with sticks and branches too. It was dressed in old clothes and decorated with plants. It’s hair was braided and it wore a red coral necklace and a headscarf.

The people in the procession sang, recited verses which sounded something like “ Marzanna, Marzanna, swim across the seas. Let flowers bloom, and fields turn green ”. They approached the river and threw this effigy into the water. But, just as they were throwing in the effigy, a part of its hand and leg fell off. Immediately, people rushed up and gathering all the broken bits, threw that too in the water.

I found an old man sitting under a tree and watching this ceremony. I approached him and asked him what all this was about. His tale was interesting...

This was a Slavic custom and was a symbolic ritual of bidding goodbye to winter and welcoming spring. This ritual was over a 1000 years old. Marzanna was a goddess that personified winter. Marzanna has to be drowned, and sometimes she is set on fire before being thrown into the water. This was to officially send away winter and prepare the rebirth of spring.

When the people had finished drowning Marzanna, they gathered in the city centre to celebrate. There were games and competitions and everyone was having a great time.

I got to know that Marzanna has different names: Morena / Morana / Śmiercicha / Śmiertka / Śmierztka.

And guess what? There’s also a male version, which is popular in some parts of the region of Silesia and he is called Marzaniok.

The names are derived from the words: old-Polish mor / mór (plague or sickness), mara / mora / zmora (evil spirit, nightmare) or śmierć (death).

Who would have thought, eh?