Dozhinki

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Dozhinki

 

an old rite marking the end of the harvest. It was known among all agricultural peoples, particularly the Slavs and Germans. In early times the rite had magical associations. The last sheaf, formed from ears cut by all the reapers and intertwined with flowers or dressed in woman’s clothes, was solemnly carried into the village or left in the field until the next harvest. The rite was accompanied by joyful dozhinki songs and dances.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.