Old Hungarian Christmas traditions you might be unfamiliar with

The holiday season has always been a time for making customs and memories that transcend generations. While many of these Christmas traditions have faded in modern times, some continue to thrive, adding a touch of nostalgia to the celebration of love.

A glimpse into the past

With 24.hu’s article as our guide, we embark on a curated exploration, shining light on traditions that may have slipped through the cracks of mainstream recognition. Each tradition offers a unique perspective on the Hungarian celebration of love, joy and community during the Christmas season.

Advent wreath

Originating in 1839, the Advent wreath has evolved from its humble beginnings. Crafted by Lutheran pastor Johann H. Wichern, the original design featured 24 candles on a chariot wheel. Today, four candles symbolise faith, hope, joy and love, lighting up in anticipation of Christmas. This tradition represents the growing light that Jesus brings during Advent.

Nativity Fast

In the past, the arrival of Christmas was marked not just by festivities but also by a period of fasting during Advent. This sacred time saw the forbiddance of noisy parties, emphasising a more contemplative approach to the season. However, as the mid-20th century approached, the tradition of fasting gradually disappeared, giving way to evolving customs and lifestyles.

Wine consecration

On St. John’s Day, 27 December, wine consecration was a tradition believed to protect the faithful from physical and spiritual ills. Families brought their wine to the church for the priest’s blessing, attributing magical powers and healing properties to the consecrated wine. In wine-growing regions, people safeguarded their harvest by adding a touch of the blessed wine to each barrel in the cellar.

Distributing the sacramental bread

During the Nativity Fast or the days leading up to Christmas happened the exchange of Communion wafers. The cantor and schoolchildren sent wafers to families, receiving flour, beans, eggs and more in return. These wafers held significance in Christmas dinners, often accompanied by honey and garlic. The tradition of distributing sacramental bread persists in some families, preserving a connection to the past.

Shepherds carrying bundles of stick at Christmas

In the Ipoly region, shepherds carried bundles of stick on Christmas Eve, ensuring the health of their animals for the coming year. The exchange involved the farmer’s wife pulling a few stalks from the wicker with her apron. In return, shepherds received wine, loaves of bread or even money, highlighting the communal spirit of Christmas.

Shepherds’ march

On Christmas Eve, shepherds paraded in a procession until midnight, wearing coats turned inside out, slings over their shoulders and carrying shepherd’s crooks. Singing songs and asking for offerings, this lively march embodied the spirit of Christmas.

Chanting

Groups of different age categories gathered to chant, paying homage, expressing good wishes, and collecting gifts for the church. Children, young men, and married men each had their turn, singing traditional Hungarian church folk songs, such as “Mennyből az angyal” (Angel from the Heavens).

Mendikálás

The name (mendieare = to beg) refers to the fundraising nature of the custom. Children played a significant role in this tradition, visiting houses to ask for donations. Knocking on doors in groups, they sought permission to sing under the window or inside the house. In return, they received gifts, fostering a sense of community and gratitude.

The nativity play

We can trace back the nativity play, or in Hungarian, Betlehemezés to the 11th century. Still, it remains one of the most enduring Christmas traditions. Emerging from ecclesiastical roots, characters dressed as shepherds visit houses with homemade mangers or nativity scenes, recounting the story of Jesus’ birth through holy songs and humorous dialogues.

The carolling tradition of regölés

From St. Stephen’s Day until New Year’s Day, townspeople engaged in the season of celebration. With bands, bagpipes and drums, they made noisy toasts, wishing each other abundance and happiness. Songs and well-wishes echoed through the streets, creating a festive atmosphere that spread through the town during this joyous period.

Explore the enchanting world of Hungarian traditions in our two-part series on charming Christmas traditions in Hungarian families. Read Part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE.

Source: 24.hu