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The tree of life decorating ceremony was also accompanied by various songs. First, the blessing of God was invoked. Then the mother of the bride tied the first bunch of flowers on the tree and passed it to the next person who also affixed some symbolic plant or fruit to it, and so on. On the wedding day the decorated tree would be carried by a groom walking ahead of the young couple on the way to church and on the return home. During the “maiden’s eve” wreaths were also made for the bride, the bridesmaids, as well as for the groom an his ushers. The men wore the wreaths attached to their hats. In the past many small wreaths were made for the wedding guests to wear on their wrists. When the wreaths were complete they were placed on a bread and presented to the parents of the bride. The tradition called for the parents to touch the fore head of their daughter three times with the wreath and to place it on her head, as a rehearsal for the wedding. After this brief ceremony the wreaths were hung under the icons until the wedding day. When all the preparatory work was finished the bride-to-be with her bridesmaids and the groom-to-be with his ushers walked through the village, house to house, inviting people to their wedding. The bride car ried baked cones which she gave to those she invited while saying: “My father asks, my mother and I ask you to come and share bread and salt with us and come to the wedding.” This chant-invitation was repeated three times to each person. After the invitations were delivered, the bride re turned home and prepared a gift for the groom — a shirt which she herself had embroidered. The shirt was rolled into a tube and entwined with periwinkle basil, wheat stalks and red ribbons, then delivered by her brides maids to the groom. The decorations had magical pow ers, because in it the bride included three leaves of periwinkle to insure that he would always love her, sweet basil to keep her beautiful and sweet smelling for him and three stalks of grain for both of them to have a long life and always enjoy a bountiful harvest. The Wedding Day Early on the wedding day, the mother and brides maids dressed the bride in her wedding finery. For this auspicious occasion the bride had embroidered a beau tiful shirt for herself a long time ago and prepared the finest garments. The most important ritual during the dressing is the unbraiding of the bride’s hair. For the last time the bride loosens her hair as a maiden. Varying from region to region, the hair of the bride was decorated in many ways. In some regions the hair was treated with honey and coins were braided into it. In other regions garlic cloves were inserted into the braids.This was to ward off the evil spirits. The bridal wreath made of flowers, herbs and tiny feathers was then placed on her head. As with other details, these wreaths differed from village to vil lage, depending on the local tradition. During this dressing time many songs were sung by the bridesmaids. The bride had to look sad and to cry for she was about to leave her parents home and go to the house of her husband. The bride was never sure how her new mother-in-law would greet her and treat her, also hence the tears. Every bride had to cry even if Коровай, дивень, весільне деревце. Korovai, dyven, tree of life. Виконавець ГІяриса Зєлик. Фото J1. Зелик. Photo: Laryssa Zielyk. НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ЧЕРВЕНЬ 1992 21
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