Carolers of Organization for the Defense of Lemkivschyna maintain tradition (02/08/04)

Carolers of Organization for the Defense of Lemkivschyna maintain tradition

by Diana Howansky

YOUNKERS, N.Y. - If you are a member of the Ukrainian American community in the Yonkers, N.Y., area, carolers from the Organization for the Defense of Lemkivschyna (known by its Ukrainian acronym, OOL) are likely to pay you a visit each year around Christmas. This year was no exception.

During the period between Ukrainian Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, OOL's Branch 2 in Yonkers organized approximately half a dozen groups to travel from household to household, offering songs and good wishes. To remain true to the custom of Ukrainian Christmas caroling and to add humor to their performance, one young group even wore costumes.

Dressed as the three wise men, shepherds, an angel and a goat, the carolers sang traditional carols like "Boh Sia Razhdaie" (God is Born) and "Dobriy Vechir Tobi" (Good Evening to You). Ukrainian Christmas traditions have retained various pagan elements and the accompaniment of someone in a goat costume, for example, was historically meant to represent the god of fertility.

The carolers also recited short poems, or "vinshuvannia," for their hosts: "Schobyste maly khliba, sala i soli na stoli. Schobyste maly zhyta, pshenytsi i chystoj vody v krynitsi," they said in Lemko. [May you have bread, lard and salt on your table. May you have rye, wheat and clean water in your well.]

Then, with a "zvizda" in hand, the carolers bid each host good-bye. The zvizda is a large six- or eight-pointed star that is made from colored paper and attached to a tall pole; it symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem.

Donations for the OOL were accepted and greatly appreciated. These proceeds will go towards the OOL's work of promoting the rights of Lemkos throughout the world.

For more information about the activities of Branch 2 of the Organization for the Defense of Lemkivschyna or how you can get involved, readers may contact Steven Howansky, (203) 762-5912; or Steve Kapitula, (914) 478-0498.

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