Badnjak Croats call Christmas Eve “Badnjak”. The word comes from the verb “bdjeti” meaning “to watch over.” This is, of course, the reference to Biblical story of Christ’s nativity, as numerous shepherds joined Joseph in watch over Mary and Jesus. But badnjak is also something else. In older times, it was a custom for Croats to seek forests in pursuit of a large log. This piece of wood was brought home, cleaned and dried a few days before Christmas. The log, called badnjak, would then pass through a simple religious ritual. Usually, the oldest man in the family would sprinkle it with holy water, citing a prayer or Apostle’s Creed. In some parts of Croatia, badnjaks were sprinkled with rakija, while some people would also completely submerge it under blessed water. It was also a custom to decorate it with flowers and ribbons. Badnjak would then be put on fire, usually in home’s fireplace. It’s burning was considered to be the beginning of Christmas celebration. The log was supposed to be in flames as long as it can, so family members would periodically take turns during the night, taking care that fire doesn’t extinguish itself.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:57:46 +0000
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