Dziady

This article is about an ancient holiday. See Dziady for the poem by Adam Mickiewicz. Dziady was an ancient Slavic feast to commemorate the dead. Literally, the word is translated as 'Forefathers'. It was held twice every year (in the spring and autumn). During the feast the ancient Slavs organized libations and ritual meals in which food and alcohol were sacrificed. In local mythologies such feasts were organized both for the living and for the souls of the forefathers who joined the dziady after dark. To allow them to find their way to the world of the living, fires were set and candles lit. This tradition prevailed in the form of christian Zaduszki feast. Lithuanians also have similar feast, called Vėlinės. It has roots in pagan times, and slighgtly differs form Slavic Dziady.

The 2nd part of the poetical novel Dziady by Adam Mickiewicz is dedicated mostly to the Dziady feast organized in what is now Belarus, and popular among Ruthenians and Lithuanians during the times of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In Belarus, Dziady (�"зяды) were usually held on the last Saturday before St. Dmitry's day, end of October/beginning of November (Dźmitreuskija dziady, St.Dmitry's Dziady). There were also 'Trinity Day Dziady, 'Shrovetide Dziady, and some other dates. Since 1988 the Belarusian Popular Front initiated the revival of the tradition in Belarus. The initiative was met with strong opposition from the communist administration of the country.