Hunter College High School - Argus Yearbook (New York, NY)

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THE ARGUS The deep religious feeling would do much that is good for the peasant were it not for the appalling ignorance which accom- panies it and undoes all its good work. As there are no schools to which to send the peasant children, the peasant grows up totally ignorant. As a result, conditions' are unsanitary, illness is negle,c,ted and the deatlhf list is appalling. Ilt is igmoranoe that prompts a mother to give soaked coarse black bread to her new born babe to suck. It is ignorance that makes a woman paint her little, son red-to make the measlwels come vo-ut, as slhle said. It is ignorance that prompts parents to marry off their children at the age of fifteen and sixteen. Until this ignorance, the root of all lelvils, is even partially removed, the Russian peasantry will never make any progress. This same naivete of the peasant gives rise to many cus- toms-all amusing and curious-some Very charming. This very interesting old custom has been observed for years by the peasant. At the end of the summer, the boys and girls of a town who wisih? to marry, gather in a Held. The girls seat themselves in a circle and the boys lose no time in beginning the search for a mate. At the end of the day, half of the young folks are engaged. Before the marriage ceremony it is cus- tomary for the bride-to-be to visit all hle'r relaltives, kneel at their fe.ePt and receive a present of flax from, each of them. Then she must cook a meal for her future mother-in-law and if slhe passes this test well, the ceremony is performed. After this the bridal pair are conducted with great pomp to their home. No less interesting are the death customs. When a peas- ant falls ill, no time is losrt in trying to cure him, but prepara- tions for the funeral are at once begun. The. house is painted white, musicians are hired and food is prepared. Neglect, sfhleer fright, and the belief that he is going to die., hasten the death of the invalid and so 'the preparations are not made in vain. After the funeral a feast is made, all the re.lative's attend and eat and drink and make merry until the dawning of the new day. Quite a unfique way of showing grief, is it not? These, are but a few of the inherelsting peasanlt customs which are so numerous that it would be almost impossible for me to relate them all to you. Indeed, though books have been written about the Russian peasant, the subject ihfas not yet 20

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THE ARGUS As if to make up for 'the sordid drabness of his home, the peasant wears the most picturesque and colorful of costumes. Outdoor life has brought it about that the peasant is usually tall, strongly built, with long brown hair, curling moustache, laughing eyes and gleaming white teeth. When he puts on his White linen shirt, tucks his bllue- or wlrite trousers into his shining boots and places a white straw hat on his curly hair, he. looks like a character stepped out of some old novel. In the winter, he dons a fur cap instead of a straw hat and a home spun ooat andf is all prepared for the coming frosts. Even more picturesque is the woman's costume. Her white linen smock is elaborately embroidered in red, black and blue. Her skirt of re.d or blue cotton is set off by a broad border of black wellvet. A bright colored kvelrchief covers her dark hairg her ears are weighted down by heavy brass earrings, and her throat is surrounded by numerous ropes 0-ii red and pink beads. She is barefooted in the summer and it is only in the winter that she dons a pair of queer rubber shloles. These with a cotton jacket and a heavy shawl ove.r her head complete iher winter toilette. Most of the peasants have but one costume which they wear day and night. But the more wealthy, have two, one for every day wear--thfe other for church and religious festivals. For the peasant is very, very religious. Every morning before he leaves for his fields and every night at :his return, he and his family offer up a prayer to God. Being Greek Catho- lics, they not only have beautiful, elaborate churches, but also a little shrine in each home. The Ikon, as they call it, is the lik1eaness of the Madonna holding the Christ Child in her arms, in front of which a little, oil lamp burns incessantly. It is before the Ikon that the peasant says Ihis prayers morning and night. just as it is one's duty to makiel the sign of the holy cross over 1one's body when p'assing la. church, julst so the omission of this ceremony in passing an Ikon would bring great disaster to the culprit, think the peasants. For his Battushka has duly im- pressed this on him. Battudhika is the name by which the priest is lovingly and respectfully called, which translated, means Little Father. The name is well chosen indeed. For his relations to his flock are those of a father to his family. He has the same powlefrs and duties, is at the same time loved and feared, his word is law 5-to the peasant, the supreme law of the land. 19

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THE ARGUS been done justice, and certainly I cannot even hope to tell all that there is of interest. Yet, if I have but aroused a desire to know more of this fascinating people, I shall have fulfilled my purpose. Elizabeth Sall '23 Hillanvlle Sing lute, my sorrow burns fwith bitter fire, Essay to soothe it with a rich, lofw air,- My Love yearns not with immfourtal desire. W armed with his passion deep I know not ire Though my eyes drop aweary from his stare, Sing lute, my sorrow burns with bitter fire. O sweeter let your meliody rise, higher, My Love! has asked me for a lock of hair- My L-ovve, yearns not with immortal desire. Soon time will undo me with changes dire And he will shrink repulsed into his lair, Sing lute, my slorrow burns with bitter fine. Then must I die who earnefsvtly aspire Before my sweet Lorve's dreamlsi are rudely bare?- My Love yearns not with immortal dvelsire. Ah sing-I'll leave for him, gone ere I tire A golden lock all' tear-wet, offering rare- Sing lute., my sorrow burns with bitter fire, My Love yearns not with immortal dvelsire. F. E. S. 21