Agria 43. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2007)
Zábrátzky Éva: Az emberi élet fordulóihoz kötődő szokások az egri hóstyákon a XIX–XX. században
SÁVOLY Lajos 1846 Az egri nép. In.: Magyarföld és népei eredeti képekben, (szerk.: Vahot Imre). 21-22. Pest. TÜRK Frigyes 1912 Türk Frigyes munkái. Eger. Éva Zábrátzky Customs Associated with Life's Milestones in the Suburbs of Eger The suburbs of Eger, known locally as hóstyák, were, in the 19th century and the first half of the 20 th century, inhabited mainly by people active in vinegrowing. Their way of life and their customs in many ways resembled those of the peasants living in the surrounding villages. For them the great milestones: births, marriages and deaths, were the great events in any family's life. Right up to the middle of the 20 th century parents often took on the responsibility of having large families in Eger, five-six children often being the norm. The baptism took place two weeks after the birth, before which it was the job of relations to look after the family of the new-born child, thus helping the mother in her confinement. Although material circumstances determined the choice of partner, it was also common for young men to court only young women living in their own particular suburb. Serious conflicts could arise if somebody were to breach this unwritten rule. Preparations for the wedding feast would include the taking of the bed, when the woman took her dowry to her new home, the home of her fiancé. After the church service rather than celebrating together the groom's relations went to the groom's house, while the bride's guests had supper at the bride's family home. It was only after midnight that the bridegroom's family (Hung.: hérészesek) trooped over to the bride's house to be present at the hair-knotting of the bride. The funeral is the last station in any person's life. In Eger in cases where people died young before having had the chance to marry, the funeral ceremony was conducted in a such a way that elements of a wedding feast were included. The young person's body was accompanied to the cemetery by musicians, while young men walked next to the coffin holding swords onto which lemons had been impaled. After the funeral the family invited the guests to a feast where they were offered wine and bread with sheep's cheese. 349
