 Russian karavais at theBerlin International Green Week | |
| Alternative names | Korovai |
|---|---|
| Type | Bread |
| Place of origin | PossiblyBulgaria |
| Region or state | Eastern Europe |
| Main ingredients | Wheat flour |
Thekorovai (Ukrainian:коровай[kɔrɔˈʋai̯]ⓘ,Russian:коровай before the 1956 reform),karavai (modernRussian:каравай[kərɐˈvaj],Belarusian:каравай,Old East Slavic:караваи),[1] orkravai (Bulgarian:кравай[krɐˈvaj]) is a traditional Bulgarian, Ukrainian, and Russianbread, most often served atweddings, where it has greatsymbolic meaning. It has remained part of the wedding tradition inBelarus,Russia,Ukraine, as well as in theRussian andUkrainian diasporas. Its use in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine dates back to hospitality and holiday customs in ancientRus. A similar bread (Polish:korowaj) is made in parts of easternPoland.[2]A round korovai is a common element of the bread-and-salt ceremony of welcome.
The bread has ancient origins, and comes from the pagan belief in the magical properties ofgrain.[3] Korovai was a large round braidedbread, traditionally baked fromwheat flour and decorated with symbolic flags and figurines, such as suns, moons, birds, animals, and pine cones.[4] Wheat stalks, herbs, nuts, flowers and fruit were used to embellish the korovai. The white, shaped decorations are typically made fromsalt dough, also known as dead dough or baker's clay. The bread has no set design, and the style and ornamentation of the korovai varies by region, although colors red, gold and silver were most commonly employed in decoration.[5]
The bread was traditionally prepared in the home of the bride by women who sang traditional songs to guide them through the making.[3] These women were called thekorovainytsi, and were most often invited in odd numbers to do the job of making the bread, usually seven.
The embellishments served a symbolic function. Two birds, made out of dough, represent the couple, and other birds represent family and friends. The entire arrangement is surrounded by a wreath ofperiwinkle, a symbol of love and purity. The korovai receives blessings before it is placed in the oven for baking.
Thebride andgroom were given the korovai as a blessing before the wedding ceremony. The korovai was shared by all the wedding guests, and this was considered the culmination of the wedding. During times of hardship, when a wedding was impossible, the blessing and sharing of bread was often considered enough to constitute a marriage in the eyes of the community.[6]
The top part of the korovai symbolizes the Moon; it is divided in half and belongs to the marrying couple, the next slice goes to the mother and father of the bride, and so on. In eastern Ukraine, the mother receives a pair of shoes made out of dough, while the father is given an owl, out of those decorating the korovai.[7]
The bottom section of the korovai called thepidoshva can be shared with the guests and the band as a symbol of good luck and future prosperity.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)