This is the second day of Survaki,
which is celebrated, for health of the livestock - oxes, buffaloes,
horses, dunkies, etc. It is connected with the custom of shoveling
the cattle-shed. This custom is executed by a group of men, usually
those who have been carol-singers (koledars). This group goes
around the village and shovels the cattle-sheds that have not
been shoveled since Christmas.
While they are cleaning the host should not enter the yard and
should not see the men that shovel and sometimes instead of cleaning
thay do the opposite. This happens only in cases in which some
of the men that shovel are angry with the hosts and do that as
revenge.
When the men finish with the shoveling
they take the bag with bread, meat and wine that has been left
for them and leave.
At this day it is not allowed to
eat pork and bacon, which is for the wellbeing of the oxes. The
holiday ends with a big horo on the square.
Church Holiday:
At this day the Orthodox Church honors St. Silvestry whose name
is connected with a very ineresting legend. The magician Zamvrii
who has not been a Christian kills an ox while whispering the
name of a god. St. Silvestry finds out about this event and makes
the magician save the animal because only God has the right to
give and take life. Zamvrii does not manage to save the animal
but trusting in his faith Silvesrty gives the life back to the
animal. This is the reason why he is considered the patron of
the animals and especially the oxes.
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