Who are the ‘ryazhenye’?
‘Kalyans’, ‘khukholniks’, ‘shulikuny’ – who are all these people? Yes, they are mummers!
In ancient times, in different regions of Russia, they were called differently, but they were engaged in the same thing: they would dress up in costumes and masks of animals and magical creatures and would go from house to house during Christmastide and Maslenitsa.
They were called ‘ряженые’ (‘ryazhenye’) or ‘mummers’, because they “рядились” (“ryadilis”) or “dressed up” in unusual outfits. And what they did was called ‘ряженье’ (‘ryazhenie’) or ‘mummering’.
The mummers would gather in groups, stopping at each house to perform special ritual songs. The residents would then present them gifts to appease and secure the favor of the spirits of the other world.
The mummers usually organized a procession during Christmastide, that is, from Christmas to Epiphany. And also on Maslenitsa – the holiday of seeing off winter on the eve of Lent. At this time, they would not only change clothes, but also take a Maslenitsa effigy with them, which they burned at the end.
