Macedonian Christmas Traditions – It’s time for Kolede!
If you are Macedonian Orthodox, January 7th is not just another day – it’s Christmas! Like millions of Orthodox faithful around the world, Macedonians follow the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7th. The Christmas festivities and celebrations begin very late in the evening on January 5th when the traditional Kolede bonfires are lit across neighborhoods in cities and villages throughout Macedonia. Kolede songs are sung, people dance, and warm homemade “rakija” (fruit brandy) is passed around. Some say that the warmth of the Kolede fire is symbolic of the heat in the cave where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, while the merriment surrounding the fire is done to spread good luck, prosperity, and health to all in preparation of the good news of the birth of Christ that is to come. The bonfires continue to burn into early morning Christmas Eve (Badnik – January 6th), when young children wake up and take off in groups to go from house to house singing traditional Kolede songs to all who open their doors. According to the custom, the homeowners then reward the young carolers for their well wishes and singing with “kolachina” (traditional bread rolls made for Kolede), chestnuts, walnuts, apples, and money. Here is one traditional song that is sung for Kolede.
Коледе бабо Коледе
Коледица меледица
и по неа Василица
еднаш ми е во година
како цвеќе во градина.
Коледе бабо Коледе
дај ми едно костенче
едното за мене
другото за другарчето.
Traditions and customs vary across Macedonia. This post highlights just a few of the many traditions surrounding Christmas in Macedonia.
