Dances around bonfires are part of the rituals of Ivan Kupala
Since ancient times all the peoples of the world have celebrated the end of June at the peak of summer. The Russian version of a holiday is Ivan Kupala .
On the night of June 23, everyone celebrates this mystical event, but at the same time it is a party full of ritual acts, rules and prohibitions, songs and all kinds of divination, legends and beliefs.
Even in ancient pagan times the Russians used to worship Kupalo, the God of summer fertility. In his honor the people sang songs and jumped over the bonfire. This ritual act has been turned into an annual summer solstice celebration, combining a pagan and Christian traditions.
Kupala received the name Ivan after the baptism of Russia, when he was replaced by John the Baptist, who baptized Christ and whose birthday was celebrated on June 24.
Treatments
On that day the women wear flower girdles and wreaths of herbs singing songs, lighting the bonfires, the symbol of the sun.
Another tradition is to pour dirty water to everyone who is present. It is believed that people who are wetter will have to wash so their souls will be clean.
In this regard, there is a pool at night illuminated with purifying bonfires where people dance around. Mothers also use the shirts of sick children who are thrown to the bonfires in the hope of getting rid of diseases.
On the other hand, the young people participated in loud games, fights and various competitions. The most played is that of runs and by-catches.
There is always something miraculous about Ivan Kupala's day. Nobody sleeps at night, as it is believed that all evil became active: witches, werewolves, vampires, mermaids ... People thought that Ivan Kupala is the day when witches who had their holiday too, trying to cause as much harm to human beings as possible.