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SRI rt aie Hida | word 5 Elis NP x BEATE. rn A Tn WE SRR pn ne PL a CFA IRAN ANA lr Sh NE ed 14-- PORT PERRY STAR -- CHRISTMAS EDITION 1974 Yule Customs of Europe's Laplanders Related to Lifestyle and Early Culture There are today some 30,000 Laplanders of which approximately two-thirds live in Norway, one third in Sweden, and smaller num- bers in Finland and Russia. Lapps are closely asso- ciated with reindeer," on which they have depended for a large part of their livelihood since prehistoric times. The early Lapp religion was shamanistic, featuring a priest, or shaman, who divined the secrets of good hunting, fishing, reindeer grazing, and other matters of importance to the people, while in a state of trance. Beautifully decorated "mag- jc drums" were a means of inducing the trances and are characteristic of early Lapp culture. CHRISTIAN CONVERSION Large scale conversion to Christianity did not occur among the Lapps until the 17th Century. This fact combined with the exces- sively tough conditions of the northern winter tended to prevent the development of Christmas customs as we know them -- the church nature for hundreds of years, provide an economical balance in northernmost Europe's subl¥rctic regions. Lifestyle of Lapp with sled-pulling reindeer is con- trasted by prop-driven airplane, while another Lapp affectionately pets a reindeer upon which he so heavily depends. Photos courtesy Royal Norwegian Embassy Information Service. gatherings, decoration of homes and trees, the giving of gifts, and elaborate feasts. The Lapps" chief festivals came in spring and autumn with the occa- sions of marketing, when the products of the reindeer Italian Foods at Christmas Vary According to Regions Feasting is an integral part of the Christmas celebra- tion. symbolizing not only rejoicing at the coming of Christ but, also, the spirit of sharing and brotherly love which is characteristic of the season. Like so many other aspects of Christmas, it is a blend of Christian and pre-Christian traditions, strongly influenced by local customs. In Italy the dishes of the Christmas feast vary widely depending on the region, In the north, for example, the meal may begin with cappelletti ("little hats") stuffed with meat or tortellini, a sort of ravioli, followed by a main dish of meat, which may be anything from roast turkey with chestnut stuffing to zampone, a pork sausage packed in a pig's leg smothered with lentils. In the area around Rome, the traditional dish of Christ- mas Eve is "capitone," a large female eel, roasted, baked, or fried, following a religious tradition which prescribes a meatless dinner on Christmas Eve, the Vigilia, or Christ- mas vigil. In accordance with this tradition, the Roman fish market, held the night of December 23rd, is a peculiar feature of the Christmas observance. In the south of Italy, the feasting usually begins with macaroni with meat and tomato sauce, followed by chicken or meat in jelly. Particularly characteristic of Christmas feasting in all regions are sweets: fruitcakes of various types (panettone) and other sweets in which nuts and honey figure promi- nently. The Christmas season coincides with day and the beginning of the New Year, and from ancient. times nuts have been a symbol of fertility and a promise of the next year's harvest, also representing hope for in- crease in herds and flocks, and the family, as well. The use of honey, the most common sweetener in ancient Rome, was a traditional way of conveying the wish that the new year might be as sweet as the gift. herds and furs from hunt- ing were exchanged for other products. However, 17th Century manuscripts describe one Lapp Christmas custom which has a parallel in many lands and which re- minds one of putting out cookles and milk near the chimney for Santa Claus. The old documents tell of a "sacrifice" to the "Yule- tide People," spirits which were belleved fly about over the earth and which may have originated in a re-Christian observance of he Winter Solstice, CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS On Christmas Eve there was a fast, and the food which would have been eaten was set aside. On Christmas Day this food, including samples of every- thing to be eaten on Christ- mas, was packed in a small boat-shaped basket of birch and hung upon a tree. In this manner the Yuletide People could partake of the feast like everyone else. In modern times, with "many Lapps living a more settled life in permanent communities, the observ- ance of Christmas is be- coming indistinguishable from that of other northern Scandinavians. Today's Christmas tree among the Lapps had its forerunner in the tree-hung sacrifice to the Yuletide People. N the lengthening Let joy enter your hearth and home. Thanks for your support. Crest Hardware Let's celebrate this Christmas season with sincere wishes for a simply wonderful holiday. To all our friends and neighbors go many thanks for your continued patronage and goodwill. sneerely Country Village pant'n Top shop Season's Greetings For Christmas "And The Coming Year. Dr. M. B. Dymond, M.P.P. and Family EECA ESESESESECECR £ May all the good things Christmas has in store be yours -- peace, joy and serenity. We are forever grateful for your kindness. EMMERSON INSURANCE AGENCY LIMITED a Lon a last minute check. Santa wants to make sure every detail is: just right so you can have the merriest, happiest Christmas ever MANAGEMENT and STAFF OF -- PORT PERRY I.G.A. a> ®