Unmasking Užgavėnės. What is ancient Lithuanian cosplay?
Užgavėnės is a staple Lithuanian holiday differing from similar celebrations globally due to its unique emphasis on individual’s self-expression. In a conversation with the director of Vilnius University’s folk ensemble Ratilio Milda Ričkutė we find out more about the distinct Užgavėnės traditions, their evolution throughout the ages and the need for modern reincarnations.
By Vaida Balbieriūtė
Each year millions of people around the world mark the beginning of the Lent leading to Easter with exuberant festivities, commonly known as the Shrovetide, Carnival or Mardi Gras. You might have heard of the world famous Brazilian salsa parades and the free-spirited march in New Orleans. What most people don’t realize is that the festivity has archaic roots going back thousands of years and that Lithuanian culture retains a living memory of the ancient symbolisms, rituals and their meanings.
Užgavėnės is celebrated in the end of February – beginning of March to mark the end of winter and the beginning of the Earth’s new life cycle. “People’s lives in agrarian Lithuania were fully connected to the land and the seasons,” explains Milda. “Traditionally spring was the beginning of the New Year. During Užgavėnės people would cast spells to secure a prosperous harvest and enact rituals to cleanse themselves from bad luck of the past year.” The cornerstone of Užgavėnės is burning a giant human like figure – nowadays commonly known as Morė or Kotrė - which symbolizes the Evil. Into the bonfire people would throw what embodies their sorrow, pain and anger.
The fight between Kanapinis and Lašininis, the quintessential battle of dark and light, is a highly symbolic element of Užgavėnės representing the transition from winter to spring. Milda notes that the more recent characters of the admirable, hard-working and energetic Kanapinis and the fat and lazy Lašininis replaced the older variations of the thunder god Perkūnas vs the Devil and the Bear vs the Moose.
Another essential element of Užgavėnės are the masks and costumes. Unlike other cultures, were the carnival procession is divided into “blocks” of synchronized and orchestrated groups, usually dressed in similar outfits, Lithuanian tradition celebrates individuality and unique self-expression. “By choosing a character to embody”, explains Milda, “each individual gets a chance to unmask their true selves. During Užgavėnės people can say what they truly think and unshackle from everyday constraints.” While the archaic masks of animals and birds have retained their popularity more modern variations of witches and goons are also common. Generally, costumes are satirical in nature, poking fun at local power figures, fashionistas, socialites, and reflect the social phenomena and events that are important in peoples’ everyday lives.
Traditionally people would gather in groups and go from house to house: entertaining, singing songs, playing games, showering each other in water. The celebrations would last for days and involved the whole village or town. Those that would not dress up had to host a feast at their homes, if not - the procession would prank, hoax and tease the hosts. Traditional dishes served were a hodgepodge with meat and a rooster’s tail, meat jelly, scrambled eggs, and roast duck. In the 20th century, however, a dish borrowed from the Slavic neighbors - pancakes (Blynai) – became most commonly associated with Užgavėnės as it is often considered to symbolize the Sun and its return in the springtime. More pragmatically, the dish is cheap, filling and fast to make therefore perfect for feeding a big group of people.
During the period of the Soviet occupation Užgavėnės took on a more orchestrated, politicized appearance. Central planning committees became in charge of organizing the festivities and had to incorporate symbolisms, slogans and activities in line with the Soviet ideology. Most schools, institutions and even towns or whole regions were told what to dress up as. The carnival became synchronized and the self-expression and the individual initiative that have traditionally driven the festivities - dwindled. Even the name Užgavėnės was changed to Winter Seeing Off Festival to fit better with the Soviet propaganda. And thou the attempts to manipulate the festivities were successful in as much as some of the imposed changes still remain present in the celebrations today they didn’t undermined the central mission of Užgavėnės. The ancient celebration of the changing seasons, as expressed by the battle between good and evil, and an accompanying cosplay party with games and treats is still a part and parcel of the Lithuanian cultural event calendar.
As Lithuania rediscovers itself as an independent nation, so will our traditional holidays and celebrations have to reincarnate to take on new expressions. Milda Ričkutė points out that people often believe Užgavėnės (and other festivities) must remain as they were during our ancestors’ times. “Celebrations are for celebrating and not commemorating”, laughs Milda.” Užgavėnės is about self-expression, speaking your truth and making it heard in fun and satirical ways. The 21st century manifestation of this tradition will inevitably differ from the way people understood it in the 19th century or earlier.” We should not be afraid to give new expressions to old traditions. In fact, it’s the only way to keep them alive.
Follow the link to find out more about Užgavėnės at Vilnius University and how to be a part of it this year: https://www.facebook.com/events/337263010224299/