Barsi Ernő: Sály : egy bükkalji falu a hagyományos gazdálkodás idején (A miskolci Herman Ottó Múzeum néprajzi kiadványai 17. Miskolc, 1965)

egg, breed much chick!". On Lucy's day a garlic-calendar was made: one head of garlic was IK«I Jed into 12 parts symbolizing the 12 months of year to come. Each part was salted and the part giving off the most juice indicated the month of most rainfall. It was thought that are the branches of trees weighted down by hoar-frost at Advent, much fruit can be expected in the coming year. Husbandpredicting customs were attached also to Christmas. Girl wrote man's names on slips moulding them into dumplings. The first dumpling brought to the surface was checked and the name written on the slip was thought to be the name of her bridegroom-to-be. On Christmas people stood up on Lucy's stool (stool slowly made from the 13th to the 24 th December for superstitious purposes on Christmas-night) in the church-door, from where they had a better look and could catch sight of the witches having such big horns that they could hardly get through the church-door. The witches began to chase them, who could escape from before them if a plate of poppy-seed was spreaded on the ground and until it was picked up seed by seed, a loop-hole of escape could be found. There were people who dared not spend the night at home, since the witches might look for them also at home. The Waits and Christmas carol singers came at Chrismas time, they were rewarded in exchange for singing Chrismas carols and performing the Christmas story. The new-born child was protected against evil spell and to be mistaken. Already on the day after birth the child was baptized in order to avoid bewitching. It was thought that a rosary around the little thing's neck or a string of colour beads on the wrist can protect him from male-fice. Children were brought up very rigorously. Parents put children to work very young. At first they had to look after geese and other animals. While doing it, they were playing, too. They took pleasure in it.Extremly rich tradition on children's games has been preserved by children society at Sály. Creating a young man or girl was unknown. Boys from 16-18 years, girls from 14 years of age were counted among adults. The young wooer might go to the girl only on Sundays. Later on visit on Saturdays and in winter also on Wednesdays was allowed. The girl gave a bunch of lowers to the wooer. Was the bunch made of simple flowers and some greens, it was a token of honour. In case of red rose, however, it signified the acceptance of the suitor. It was then followed by the fancy shawl (as wedding present), the engagement then the wedding. Costume of partner-chioce, as well as the wedding involved a lot of songs. The bridesman played important part in its arrangement. He was wearing nicely embroidered (or woven) narrow, long shawl across his shoulder and pinned together beneath. This shawl and his hat with a stripe around were fitted with bunch of rosemary and he was holding a ,/okos" (a small axe on long helve or at the end of a walking-stick) in the hand. He was keeping inviting the guests, leading the wedding procession. He delivered a farewell-speech in verse to the bride at the parental house. He gave notice of each course and entertained the company, directed the dance with the bride and encashed the due money for it. Still in the past century it was habit at the end of wedding to chop „the head" of woman head-cook, as she was called: kitchen's hell. Her hand and foot was bound and so she was placed on a cart (or sleigh in winter) and pulled along the village, sometimes even rolled in snow or mud. Thereafter an earthenware pot filled with ash was put her on the head then the pot was „decapitated" from her head by means of a hemp-breaker. Her eyes, mouth, dress got full with ash. Wedding was followed by working-days. Further habits were attached already to the end of life, the death. To the subsequent death conclusion could be drawn from behaviour of animals as well as from the fact that the invalid began speaking about one of his relatives deceased. When the death ensued, the clock were stopped in the house in order to let him die, since until the clock is running, the heart cannot give up beating - was thought. The mirror was covered. Eyes of the dead were closed, then he was given a wash, put clothes on and laid out on straw matress putting bed-sheet of embroidered edge beneath. His hands were folded over each other and a rosary - at Catholics - or psalm - at Calvinists was placed in hand. While doing it, the gate was closed. When laying out was finished, the mourners were coming. Not merely to commiserate with the family-members but to pass judgement on survivors. Neighbours and good people came to keep awake in the evening. At Calvinists they were singing, at Catholics also praying. The grave was digged to ensure the deceased to „have a view" of the church. Wooden grave-post, cross was put to the foot of the dead person. Ancient traditions are preserved by tomb-stones chiseled of red stone in Calvinist oemetary of the last century. Humanprofiles from the side are illustrated on them. Burial feast is still on after funeral today. Next day the content of straw matress is poured out and burnt to ashes. Lime whiting of walls is allowed only after a month, or else „also the soul of deceased is whitened" and cannot have a rest. Population at Sály has preserved very rich traditions of folk music. Much mi-re-do-re-phrases can be observed, as Finno-Ugrian heritage, and used to be extended to below, to lower la, thus creating 206