Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/110

102 partly fishermen, public festivals were held in honour of Ved mastir Pas, the water-god, etc.

Twice a year honours were paid to Ange Patyai, and at the same time to her four daughters. The Mordvins believed her to be an ever-young virgin, full of power, beauty, and life, and the maintainer of life in the world. In her virginal character she was the protectress of girls and of morality. But as mother of the gods she was also protectress of married women, was helpful at child-birth, and protected the lives and health of new-born children. Hence the two festivals in her honour. The one was held in spring, first by girls (see note, §11), then by widows, out in the fields or in groves by the side of a spring or a water-course. The other was kept at home in winter, first by children, the beloved of Ange Patyai, afterwards by married women and midwives.

Altogether there were eight festivals a year to Ange Patyai:

1. On the seventh Thursday after Russian Easter the girls held one, partly in the country, partly near water. It was called Kyolu molyan, after the name of the birch-god, Kyol ozais.

2. On the following day a great parish sacrificial feast was held in honour of Ange Patyai and Kyol ozais. This was called Tevtyar molyan, or the festival of girls, as they were the chief personages concerned.

3. On the Thursday after Trinity Sunday widows held a feast in honour of Ange Patyai, at which a midwife was the chief personage. It was termed Baban molyan, or festival of aged women.

4. On Christmas Eve small boys and girls celebrated a festival in honour of Ange Patyai and Kyolada ozais, the protector of cattle.

5. On Christmas Day a sacrificial feast was held in honour of Ange Patyai and Nishki Pas, to which all the gods were invited as guests.

6. On the following day the married women held a public parish festival at the house of a midwife.

7. On New Year's Eve the children again held a festival to Ange Patyai and Taunsyai, the divinity of swine.

8. The winter festival was held on New Year's Day, with a divine service at home to the above divinities.