Fašiangy

     The word Fašiangy literally means “carnival” and it derives from the German der Faschung. It is the equivalent of the English Shrovetide or the French Mardi Gras. Fašiangy is the final celebration before the fasting and austerity of Lent. As in other parts of Europe Fašiangy evolved during Middle Ages and became a celebration of costumed parades, singing and dancing. This emotional release of energy prepared people for the forty days of fasting which began on Ash Wednesday.
     Fašiangy celebrations usually lasted from the Sunday before Lent until Tuesday midnight, but sometimes they extended well into Ash Wednesday morning. At the midnight, marking the end of Fašiangy, a symbolic burial ceremony for the contrabass was performed, because music had to cease for the Lent. Fašiangy was a major theatrical event in Slovak villages and towns. Typically a happy group of costumed and masked youths walked from house to house playing music. They dressed up as many different characters, such as a slamenik (strawman), bakus (Bacchus the Roman god), kurina baba (an old lady), a koza (goat), a medved' (bear) and especially turon (an ox or some other type of cattle). The turon was formed when a young man would raise a companion on his shoulders, cover themselves with a large sheet or blanket, and place a sewn head of an ox or bull with bells on the head of the guy on top. The team leader would also strike up some hearty and jovial folk songs. The spirited youths specifically addressed songs to the unmarried young maidens of the household. The people would offer the entertaining visitors some slanina (smoked bacon) and other treats that were prohibited during Lent. Some of the young men dressed in drag as women and parodied and mimicked members of other ranks in society. For example, they might wear an animal skin, or some of them would dress like a žobrak (beggar) in torn up pants, shirt, and stuff themselves with straw. The dressed up youths would move about clumsily, stagger, slide, and fall on the ground in front of the onlookers. The goofiest and most humorous character of group was often named Kubo or Stary.
     Women also participated in the festivities. They would visit several homes, usually where some priadky (spinning) was taking place. There they would drink "na vysoky lan " i.e., literally, to tall flax. In order to ensure that there was plenty of long flax, the women would pull the hair of the lady whose was longest. Then they would jump up from their benches and do a special dance.
     Women and men also used Fašiangy to apply some social pressure to the unmarried maidens. They joked about those girls who had not yet found a husband, especially the older girls. For instance, the ladies might sing a song that this girl thought she was too good for any of the eligible bachelors. Thus Fašiangy reinforced the strong belief in marriage as a necessary and desired institution which all should aspire to.
 

    Consuming huge amounts of food and hard drink were very much part of Fašiangy customs. Tables were filled with plum brandy, wine, and beer. In previous centuries, Slovaks also drank the much loved medovina, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. In their homes, women baked meat (if available), bravcova huspenina (a pork jelly), fried šišky (filled pastries) or pampuchy. Many also placed baked goods on graves of their deceased relatives and beloved.
     It may seem that Fašiangy was a time of fun and foolishness, but it served a purpose as village people and townsfolk could have fun and enjoy themselves before Lent. This tradition continues in some villages to this day, however, in the cities it is reduced to frying šišky and going to the balls.