Old style New Year to be marked in Belarus at night from 13-th to 14-th of January

The night from January, 13 to 14 is special both in the secular and folk calendars. It is the Old style New Year. Traditionally, Belarusians name it "Generous Christmas Carol". According to the rite, the evening is dedicated to Christmas caroling. After that, tables are set. Obligatory treats are boiled rice with raisins and honey, pork dishes. Hay was put under the cloth to make forecasts about the future harvest. Unmarried girls told fortunes, guessed future grooms. From Christmas to Epiphany, work was prohibited in the Belarusian villages, especially sewing, knitting, weaving. If women had to break the rule, a special purification ritual existed: a broomstick had to be cut into pieces on the threshold of the house, then, the rods had to be burned in the stove.