You know about Halloween! But, there is another holiday similar to it in Serbia. This is a very old tradition, which is celebrated in rural parts of the country, mostly in the southern or east parts. It is called ,,Bele poklade”. We also called it ,,Karaveštice” or Bela Nedelja (White Week in English).
Before Easter, there is Lent, which lasts for seven weeks (in Orthodox Christianity in Serbia). Week before Lent, is called ,,White Week”, and each day of the white week is also white (White Monday, White Thursday…). Last day is White Sunday, and Bele Poklade (which could be translated as White Carnival).
Carnival is a day of forgiveness and joy. It was believed that one should enter the period of Lent without sin. Households traditionally prepare a rich greasy feast, with a lot of food and meats. On that day, everyone hangs out and honors each other. The festivities last until midnight, and Easter Lent begins at midnight.
In some parts of Serbia, the custom of masking during the carnival has remained to this day. Boys and girls under masks and with a lot of noise go from house to house and make various jokes to the general joy of the family and everyone present. After that, the host should share them with food, drink or some candy.
There are also few legends related to the custom of that holiday. It is common in villages that kids and people jump over campfires. It is believed that during that period, people are vulnerable to spells made by witches. As such, they can easily fall victims to witchcraft. Also, evil spirits may possess them. That is why people jump over fire, as fire may ,,clean” them from spells or spirits! That is why alternate name of the holiday ,,Karaveštice” Kara + Veštice (kara =clean and veštice=witches) meaning literally ,,cleaning ourselves from witches”.
This holiday is somewhat similar to Halloween in few aspects:
– People are wearing masks and costumes
– Both holidays have fire/campfire associated. In old All Hallow’s Eve, masked people would dance around fire, but in Bele Poklade, people jump over fire
– Presents and candies. On Halloween, kids go to ,,Trick or Treat”, while in a similar manner masked kids go ,,from door to door” in our holiday and neighbors give them various food (although not specifically candy and there is no ,,Trick or Treat” part)
– Halloween lately became a public parade to many places, masked people go openly in public, and there are lot of public events, open parties etc etc… (before coronavirus). During Bele Poklade holiday, in villages or some towns kids and people also openly to public wear costumes and do other activities.
– Halloween, despite being on 31. October, lately became full season, which lasts for one week or longer, depending on country or region, with 31. being finale and last day. Our holiday also can last few days, while White Sunday being finale and last day.