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- Ukrainian Woman - NATALIA KOBRYNSKA (1851—1920) She, who founded the first women’s organization in West Ukraine was a wealthy and edu cated woman. A young widow, she dedicated her life to en lightenment of women. Being talented, she started to w rite; and being a talented speaker she lectured. Her addresses, her articles, her books were the plat form from which Ukrainian women started to rise. Her life had many hardships and difficulties. She was misun derstood, not only by her enemies but also by the very women who owed her so much. Although she was appreciated, she was also feared, and in her later years was lonely. This resulted in the movement, which she initiated, and directed, in the beginning, progressing without her. Nevertheless she dominated it through her spirit. The seed, she had sown bore fruit, becoming evident in the work of many of those women who were aware of her merit. The 80th anniversary of the feminist movement is linked with Natalia Kobrynska. iMerry Christmas and a Happy Neuv Year Our Traditions For Ukrainians Christmas time is linked with deeply significant traditions. Our customs, which originated in the old country we carried with us to the new life. We like our Christmas Eve with fast and traditional supper, the Christmas carols with traditional greetings. The New Year celebra tion with strewing of wheat grain, the blessing of water at St. Epiphany feast remind us of those old times when people kept their ancient customs with awe and love. We now keep them too, inas much as is possible, in modern life. On the Eve of Andreas, on December 1, our young girls try to guess their future by fore- tune-telling. On the Eve of St. Nicholas, on Dec. 6, our children expect to get some gifts from the good old Saint. On Christmas Eve, on December 24, we try to gather all family members a- round our supper table and even put an empty dish for a deceased one. Our Christmas table is set after the old pattern: under the table cloth we put a handful of hay and on the four corners a clove of garlic. On New Year morning small boys of the neigh borhood greet the Ukrainian families; and on the feast of Epiphany the family keeps fast until the blessed water is brought in from the church. But what is its meaning? You should know it in order to pro ceed more carefully and to be linked more closely with it. Our children, our neighbors ask about it. May we explain it? Many of these customs were born in pagan times when the Ukrainian people first formed themselves into community. These groups of people worked unbelievably hard for their living because of having to contend, first hand, with natural forces. These natural phenomena like sun, rain, storm, snow became symbols of good and evil. Later on they were venerated like god like beings. But even before that the people believed they should be adjured and pleaded with by many signs to be favorable and not to do them any harm. From these apprehensions most of our old traditions arose. Later on, with the coming of the Christian faith new customs joined and intermingled. And with the development of life these traditions were further embellished by songs, proverbs and legends. A rich heritage of tales, legends and carols resulted from it. Its beauty and ardor made it dear to every Ukrainian heart. Now they become another link for all people of Ukrainian back ground. Even the Communist regime in Ukraine cannot get rid of it and admits them step by step. Two years ago New Year caroling was introduced in Uk raine. (Christmas carols are mostly connected with religious themes). A group of students at the University of Kiev is study ing and performing old spring dances. Old harvest rituals were enacted on some of the collective farms. Let us continue these tradi tions too. With understanding and love we shall strenghten their meaning in our life and give them a new value. OUR LIFE Edited by Editor i al Board Published by the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc. 4936 N. 13th St. Philadelphia 41, Pa. НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ — ГРУДЕНЬ, 1964 15
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