Pentecost is a traditional time of rituals associated with the farewell of spring, the welcome of summer and the accompanying agrarian rites. The folk customs associated with Pentecost have their origins in pre-Christian rites. This holiday of spring related to the strength of trees, green branches and all fertility, presumably stems from an earlier feast called the Flock (its remnant is the Pentecostal folk fair), and nowadays as a church holiday is called the Pentecost holy. It is inscribed in the rhythm of nature’s life, with the expectation of the arrival of summer. At the beginning, the associated magical practices were to cleanse the earth from water demons responsible for the growing process in spring. These activities were to ensure abundant harvest. For this purpose, fires were burned, the houses were decorated with green branches, sweet flag, flowers to ensure fertility, as well as to protect against charms. Some cut out young birches and put them in a by-pass. In folk tradition, although in a partial way, customs related to the cult of trees and green branches have been preserved (the dream of houses and fences). Cattle are burnt with smoke from burnt holy herbs, decorated with wreaths and flowers, seeded fields celebrate processions during which banners and holy paintings are sung while singing devotional songs.
On June 9, the Folkloristic Group “Wielkopolanie” was graced by the Pentecostal Folk Festivity organized for many years by the Museum of Agriculture and Agricultural and Food Industry in Szreniawa. It was an unusual event with our group and dancers of the Children’s Folklore Group “Cepelia-Poznań”. For the first time in the history, girls from “Smithy of tradition” who played the special kind of violin called “mazanki”. The whole “Wielkopolanie” family during a two-hour concert presented in its all glory the beauty of our regional folklore.
For thousands of visitors to the Museum of Agriculture during the Saturday and Sunday holidays, the organizers also prepared a parade of slaughtered oxen and animal harnesses, a show of shearing sheep, shoeing horses and the work of a beekeeper, blacksmith and wheeler. Children could interactively participate in pottery, wickerwork and floristic workshops. There was also a demonstration of fire extinguishing by the Volunteer Fire Brigade.
