Christmas Eve in Moravia

Christmas Eve on Haná

On the rich plain of Haná, mothers promised children who fasted until noon the golden piglet on the roof ridge — and boys were told they would find every bird’s nest in the village the following year. While the family ate, the parish herdsmen and the church beggar-women went from farm to farm cracking whips and blowing horns, and were given round yeast cakes (vdolky), flour, porridge, peas and fat.

The old Haná supper was millet porridge with gingerbread, fish in raisin sauce, honey with bread, little cakes and Christmas buchty, with dried and fresh fruit. The farmer gave the farmhands as much honey as they liked so they would work hard all year, and straw was strewn on the floor during the meal. In many villages there was no Christmas tree at all — presents were simply laid on the table.

Girls cutting apples said in Haná dialect: “Kdo můj némiléši jest, ať de se mnó jablko jesť” — whoever is my dearest, let him come and eat the apple with me.

Try it at home

Put a pot of honey and a loaf on the table and let everyone take as much honey as they like — the Haná farmer’s way of wishing his household a hard-working, sweet year.

Christmas Eve on Haná

More Christmas Eves nearby

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