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ago. It expressed the philosophical concept that life and death form a closed circle, like the passage of day into night, or the perennial succession of the seasons. This dualistic outlook is admirably portrayed by the “hahilka”, a ritual spring dance called the “meander dance”: “To this meandering dance We cannot find an end We go up and down Into the rose and the guelder-rose.” The rose represents birth, the guelder-rose — death. The “hahilka”, or “vesnianka” is one of the archaic song types of Ukraine. Melodies are based on the pentatonic scale. Words have the magic power to awaken the earth after a long winter, to call out spring, to glorify the sun. The “hahilky” are syncretic, i.e. they are formed through a combination of words, melody, movement and pan tomime, in one unified religious expression re-enacting a mystery. In the past, these magic dances were performed mostly by young women. With the coming of Christian ity, the “hahilky” became the domain of children who play-dance around the church, mainly on Easter Sunday. The cycle of Easter celebrations begins with Palm Sunday or ’’Verbna Nedilia” literally “Willow Sunday” when the pussy-willow branches are blessed in the church. After the service, people gently strike each other with the branches, saying: “It isn’t I who strikes you, it is the willow Next week will be Easter. May you be healthy as water, And as wealthy as the Earth” The sacredness of the willow tree is portrayed through the abundance of ancient prehistoric songs, customs and rituals associated with it. During the Holy Week, various rituals and religious services are performed before reaching the zenith when the powerful hymn “Khrystos Voskres” (Christ is Risen) is sung, while the sound of bells fills the air just before dawn on Easter Sunday. After the blessing of the “paska” (Easter Bread), “pysanky” and other foods, the Easter feast begins. On the following Sunday everyone visits the graves of departed relatives, leaving “pysanky” and food there, in the belief that their souls will participate in the ritual. Thus, the meandering cycle of life and death continues. (P re p a re d by Slava G e ru la k ) ’НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, КВІТЕНЬ 1988 19
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