Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 7 1889.djvu/122

114 an old sheep was bought. On Thursday morning at sunrise the aged women assembled at the same place, and first carried a small birch tree, decked with white scarfs or handkerchiefs, to a river, watercourse, or spring. Then they transported to the place fifteen earthen pots full of millet, groats, and other edibles, together with a live sheep and a hen. The widows appointed an aged widower, usually a posanbunaved, to kill the animal for sacrifice.

By the side of a spring or stream, and, as a matter of necessity, in a grove of trees, if possible of birch, the aged women lit a fire and hung the kettles over it. In a cauldron that would hold about ten pails they cooked a sort of pap, thickened with butter, and prepared the omelets on large stove-plates. They placed the cooked food on the ground, and planted the birch in the centre. Then they arranged themselves in a circle, and, three widows stepping forward, repeated a prayer simultaneously. It is to be regretted that Melnikof had no Mordvin text of this prayer, but Feodor Shaverski, a priest of the village of Vechkomof, states that now the widows take a holy picture with them, and say before it:

"Lord Pas the Provider, help and protect us, and may much of every sort of produce be given to the orthodox people!"

Then they look towards the sky, and add:

"Thou father, Ilya the Great, send down warmth, dew, and fine weather!"

Then looking at the river or spring, they pray:

"Water, dear mother, give health to all baptized people. Whoever drinks thee, whoever eats, give him health; and to whoever bathes to him grant refreshment and joy. Give health also to the cattle that drink thee."

Approaching the food laid on the ground, they say:

"For thee, Lord! Take the pap, omelet, pancakes, and sour cream, but grant what we ask for. Give, Lord Pas, and thou, dear mother, most holy mother of God, to all orthodox people abundance of all kinds of cattle; grant that they may bring forth many young, that they may grow large and may be healthy."

According to Shaverski this is repeated three times. He also says