Polish Customs, Traditions & Folklore

“A richly detailed and well-informed month-by-month accountingof all the major Polish customs and traditions practiced over the centuries. Ms. Knab stirs and reawakens our ancestral memory.”-The Kosciuszko Foundation NewsletterNow in a paperback edition with illustrations, historical blackand white photographs, and color photographs throughout the book!Thisunique, well-researched reference is arranged by month, showing the variousoccasions, feasts and holidays prominent in Polish culture-beginning withDecember it continues through Holy Week Customs, superstitions, beliefs andrituals associated with farming, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, midsummer, harvestfestival, wedding rites, Name Days, birth and death. There is also a chapter onPolish pastimes and games for children. Many of the customs and traditions described in the book havebeen lost even in today's modern Poland. World wars, massive immigration, theloss of the oral tradition, urbanization and politics have changed the face ofa once agrarian people and their way of life throughout the calendar year. Thechanges, however, have not been able to erase the memory of that way of lifecompletely. Manycommunities of the Polish diaspora throughout the world still feelconnected to Poland and choose to reenact harvest celebrations, remindingthemselves of their ancestors' reverence for the grains and gifts of bread. Thesharing of oplatek, the Christmas Eve wafer, and the words of love whiledoing so, continue to bind family and friends together.  Although thepurpose and meaning may have been lost and forgotten, the oczepiny ceremony(the unveiling) is still the mainstay of almost every wedding where the bridedeclares Polish heritage.  This invaluable resource isperfect for anyone who claims Polish ancestry, diligently practicing that whichthey learned at their parents' and grandparents' knees. It is for families whowish to teach Polish heritage and customs to their children, and for anyoneseeking to learn more about their Slavic roots.

“A richly detailed and well-informed month-by-month accounting of all the major Polish customs and traditions practiced over the centuries. Ms. Knab stirs and reawakens our ancestral memory.”

―The Kosciuszko Foundation Newsletter

Now in a paperback edition with illustrations, historical black and white photographs, and color photographs throughout the book!

This unique, well-researched reference is arranged by month, showing the various occasions, feasts and holidays prominent in Polish culture―beginning with December it continues through Holy Week Customs, superstitions, beliefs and rituals associated with farming, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, midsummer, harvest festival, wedding rites, Name Days, birth and death. There is also a chapter on Polish pastimes and games for children.

Many of the customs and traditions described in the book have been lost even in today''s modern Poland. World wars, massive immigration, the loss of the oral tradition, urbanization and politics have changed the face of a once agrarian people and their way of life throughout the calendar year. The changes, however, have not been able to erase the memory of that way of life completely.

Many communities of the Polish diaspora throughout the world still feel connected to Poland and choose to reenact harvest celebrations, reminding themselves of their ancestors'' reverence for the grains and gifts of bread. The sharing of opłatek, the Christmas Eve wafer, and the words of love while doing so, continue to bind family and friends together.  Although the purpose and meaning may have been lost and forgotten, the oczepiny ceremony (the unveiling) is still the mainstay of almost every wedding where the bride declares Polish heritage.  

This invaluable resource is perfect for anyone who claims Polish ancestry, diligently practicing that which they learned at their parents'' and grandparents'' knees. It is for families who wish to teach Polish heritage and customs to their children, and for anyone seeking to learn more about their Slavic roots.