Page:The Mythology of All Races Vol 3 (Celtic and Slavic).djvu/474

308 ing the cloth, places on it the food prepared for the evening meal. The master of the house then says grace and brings to remembrance those of the family who happen not to be present, after which all sit down, the head of the household taking his place in a corner under the icons. Before beginning to eat, the householder pours out a cup of vodka, and letting a few drops fall upon the cloth, he empties it, whereupon all the others do the same. During the meal a portion of the food is set aside for the deceased, and finally the kutĭya is served. After supper all rise, the master of the house alone keeping his seat and hiding behind his pot of kutĭya as he asks his wife whether she sees him. $18$ Many other prophecies concerning the coming harvest and the prospects of cattle-breeding are attempted; and the girls, in like manner, tell their fortunes, the kutĭya playing an important rôle in all these ceremonies. The hay placed under the kutĭya and beneath the cloth on the table is given to the animals kept in the house; and the fire is kept burning constantly on the hearth. It is considered improper to do heavy work on this day, when various disguises are assumed, and village friends are visited, while in the evening the young people meet to play various games, of which dancing and singing are important features.

The Southern Slavs call Christmas Eve Badnji Dan, Badnjak, or Bŭdnik ("Vigil"), badnjak or bŭdnik being also the log of wood which is burned on the hearth. Various ancient customs connected with these festivities are still in vogue.

Before sunrise either the head of the house or some other member of the family goes to the forest in search of a tree, either oak, beech, or ash, which will serve his purpose; and after all preparations have been made for the dinner, doffing his cap, he carries the badnjak into the room. During this rite he clucks like a hen, while all the children, who stand in a row behind him, cheep like chickens. Passing through the door, on either side of which candles are burning, he walks, with the