A Few Notes on the Christmas Customs of the Križevci Region

U članku se govori opredbozičnim i božičnim običajima križevačkoga kraja. Slijedom datuma, od kraja studenog, tj. početka Došašča ili Adventa, a intenzivnije od 4. prosinca, dana Sv. Barbare pa do 6. siječnja - Bogojavljanja ili Sv. tri kralja prate se pripreme za proslavu Božića kao jednoga od najveselijih i najznačajnijih datuma u običajnome kalendaru hrvatskoga puka. Opisana su vjerovanja, pojednine radnje vezane uz određene dane toga perioda u selima križevačke okolice. Naročito je opisano bogatstvo običaja koji se obnašaju na Badnjak, a sve u cilju svečanog i radosnog iščekivanja trenutka Isusovog rođenja. Cilj svih tih radnji je prizivanje obilja, sreće i blagostanja u nastupajućoj godini.The article deals with the local customs of the Križevci region before and during Christmas time. Through a sequence of significant dates, starting from the end of November or the beginning of Advent and, more intensely, from St.Barbara’s Day on December 4, until Epiphany on January 6, we follow the preparations for the celebration of Christmas, as one of the most joyful and important dates in the Croatian calendar of customs. The author describes the beliefs and rituals concerning the specific days of the Christmas time in the villages around Križevci. A special attention was given to a rich variety of rituals performed on Christmas Eve, all with the purpose of a solemn and joyful expectation of the moment of Jesus’ birth. All these rituals are supposed to bring wealth, happiness and prosperity in the new year