Gerber... hmm... what is Gerber? Come on, let's roll this word around on the tongue - ger-ber! Like pebbles rattling. And what comes to mind is either a herbarium, or a gerbera with Herbalife, or the generally terrible Kerber, and to whom human rights activist Alla Gerber, who is no better than Kerber). But don’t be alarmed, this is just the name of one of the holidays, very popular in the Udmurt region. And it’s good that we didn’t have to pronounce other words of the Udmurt language, because without skill, many of them are very difficult to pronounce. Well, let's get to the point...
Many centuries ago, when the survival of human communities directly depended on how zealously they sowed, plowed or cast nets, human holidays were increasingly tied to the agricultural calendar. The Udmurt or Votyak people, who lived comfortably in the Kama region and the Urals, were no exception. Like many other surrounding ethnic groups, the Udmurts were mainly engaged in arable farming and attached great importance to the plowing procedure - so much so that they dedicated one of their holidays - Gerber - to it.
The name Gerber comes from the Votyak words “gery” - plow, and “bere” - after, behind, which already makes it clear in what period of time this festival was held. In the old days, Gerber was celebrated in the spring, immediately after plowing and sowing; it did not have a strict date. Local residents had a belief that the land after cultivation was pregnant, and it should not be wounded before its term with either a hoe or a plow. These days, the tiller had a very short rest before haymaking, which was dedicated to celebrations and sacred events.
In the old days, in different regions of Udmurtia the holiday was called differently. He was called Gyron Bydton, and Kuarsur, and Guzhom Yuon, and even, God forgive me, Pinal Mudor. But in all places the action was approximately the same - community members, under the rites of the local pagan clergyman, walked around the fields in a crowd and performed kuriskon - they prayed to the creator god Inmar and his deputy for fertility, Kylchyn, for a rich harvest. After which they made a sacrifice - they slaughtered a well-fed calf in the field and made a ritual multi-grain kulesh with its meat from different types grains
After the sacred snack, the people began to dance, sing, choose brides and organize various entertainments. The girls dressed up, and the guys organized competitions, wanting to find their favor. The fun was greatly enhanced by the fact that each housewife was obliged to bring a flask of local homemade vodka-kumyshka to the festivities. This item in the festival program was given great importance. It is even known that when Mother Catherine the Great introduced a state monopoly on vodka and prohibited private distillation, an exception was made for the Votyaks in their tearful petition for the sake of the holiday.
Years passed, and gradually the celebration of Gerber moved to a time more convenient for mass celebrations - the end summer solstice. Ethnographic scientists still do not have a common opinion on how and when spring holiday became summer, there is a version that there were originally two Gerbers - an early large one and a late small one. It is only known that at the end of the 19th century it was clearly associated with Peter’s Day; Orthodox priests, and in the texts of the curiscons Christ and the saints were already mentioned. Probably, there was a characteristic of pagan traditions linking them to Christian holidays.
After the revolution, the tradition of celebrating Gerbers, of course, was interrupted - it did not fit into the new ideology. And only in 1992 the celebration resumed. True, there are no longer any religious motives in ceremonial events. They do not have a fixed date. On one of the June weekends in the meadow in the ethnographic museum-reserve Ludorvai, competitions for the best national costume, exhibitions of various small folk art. Products made from birch bark are especially abundantly represented - the Udmurts use them great masters. Ritual porridge is still cooked in huge cauldrons over fires. During the ceremonial meeting, the best grain growers are awarded.
The President of Udmurtia personally attends the festival and visits all the craft shops, never leaving without making a purchase. On this day, the local population has a rare opportunity to directly communicate with their beloved leader and other retinue officials of various ranks. Several thousand people gather for the holiday, guests come from different regions of Russia and from abroad. Everyone willingly tastes local cuisine, attends master classes on making Udmurt national whistles and straw weaving, and learns national dances and artistic clay modeling. People walking are delighted by folk song and dance ensembles. An ancient folk custom continues to live a new life...
Gerbers: about the traditional summer holiday of the Udmurts A.V. Korobeinikov, D.M. Sakharnykh The gerbera holiday, Udmurt in origin and flavor, has long been of a national character in Udmurtia and in popularity is perhaps ahead of even such a traditionally interethnic holiday as Sabantuy. Gerbers are celebrated in the summer. There is no connection to a specific calendar date. Often, residents of the Udmurt Republic are guided by the pre-announced time of the Republican folklore festival “Gerber” (over the past ten years, the date of this event has always fallen between June 10 and June 26). The festival is held every year in different places of Udmurtia with the participation and effective assistance of the republican leadership, whose work schedule also has to be taken into account by the organizers of this “main” gerbera, the program of which is a role model for organizing similar festivals locally. I. Modern gerberas symbolize the end of spring field work. It is this formulation that the republican mass media repeats almost unanimously every year. It can be especially funny to read such reports in regional newspapers when a villager journalist describes, for example, the Xuan Beads ritual performed during the holiday, during which, under the June sun, ears of corn from one field are plucked and transferred to the neighboring one. Often in the same issue of the newspaper you can see reports and photographs from haymaking.
[*] Korobeinikov, Alexey Vladimirovich (1961) – Udmurt State University, Faculty of History, Department of Archeology and History of Primitive Society, applicant. Sakharnykh, Denis Mikhailovich (1978) – Udmurt State University, Institute of Social Communications, Department of History and Political Science, applicant. First published in the online publication “Ethno Magazine - Ethnonet.ru”
- Gerber Holiday: bright photos and videos, detailed description
and reviews of the Gerber Festival event in 2019. Last minute tours
in Russia
Previous photo Next photo Russia is a multinational and multicultural country. Only, unfortunately, some people forget about this. And if many have at least heard about such a Bashkir-Tatar-Chuvash holiday as Sabantuy, then when asked what “Gerber” is, most of the respondents first scratched their heads, and then answered in a drawn-out manner, “such a flower, a daisy.”
Gerber or gyron bydton (udm. “end of plowing”) - traditional
Udmurt holiday
, dedicated to the harmonious union of nature and man. However, recently it has been considered a celebration of the end of spring field work. The modern Gerber holiday may be of interest to both Udmurts and tourists who want to join the culture of this people.
Interestingly, Gerber did not have a permanent venue until recently (2010). Every year guests were welcomed in different parts of the Udmurt Republic. Since 2010, the holiday has been held on the territory of the Architectural and Ethnographic Museum-Reserve “Ludorvai”.
How to get there
From Izhevsk you can get to Ludorvai by bus No. 109 from the “Yuzhnaya Avtostanciya” stop or by bus No. 151 from the “Ulitsa Gagarina” stop.
What's interestnig
There was always something to do on Gerbera. For example, you can try delicious national cuisine: crispy peppers and crumbly porridge prepared according to an old recipe. Moreover, local grandmothers treat everyone for free. Numerous concert programs, where creative groups and solo artists of many genres perform - from folk songs to modern dances.
There is an exhibition and sale of souvenirs, where everyone can purchase a piece of Udmurt culture. Competition lovers are invited to take part in one of the traditional competitions. The selection of the strongest couple and all kinds of children's programs are carried out. In a word, no one will be bored at Gerbera.
If you want to join the culture of one of the most ancient peoples of our country or just want to have a good time and are nearby, then this event is definitely worth visiting.
“After the plow” (gery - plow, bere - after) - this is how Gerber is translated from the Udmurt language. From the moment when the last tiller left the field, the land was considered pregnant and it was impossible to injure it with a plow or shovel. It did not have a specific date, but it always took place in the last days of the summer solstice, when very little time remains before haymaking and the peasant can take a short break to turn to the gods with a prayer for a good harvest.
In ancient times, when our pagan ancestors celebrated Gerber, several actions were obligatory: walking around the field, sacrifice and kuriskon - collective prayer by the entire community. The Udmurts asked Inmar and Kyldysin for a good harvest: “so that thirty ears grow from one grain, so that the squirrel cannot harm our field.” The pagans sacrificed a bull, purchased with donations from the entire community. The priests slaughtered it not far from the grain field, and then the meat was added to ritual porridge, cooked from all types of grain: barley and oats, millet and buckwheat. Ritual porridge is still cooked on Gerbera, and everyone is treated to it.
Well, after the meal, songs, dances, games, round dances, horse competitions, swimming in the river and riding on swings began. The guys on Gerbera were looking for brides for themselves, demonstrating dexterity and strength, and the girls tried to show off their beauty and best outfits. During Gerber, weddings were held somewhere, young women who got married last winter were bathed somewhere - this ritual was called salty. Young women had to pay off - with a towel or wine, otherwise they were thrown into the river with jokes and jokes.
Later, in the 18th century, Gerber, like other pagan rituals, began to be influenced by Christianity, and even later they began to coincide with church holidays. Gerber began to be celebrated on Peter's Day, July 12. Priests were present at the rituals, and sacrifices were made in their presence. The priests served prayer services in the open field, and included in the texts of the kuriskons the names of Christian saints - Elijah the Prophet, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Christ himself.
Today Gerber is far from religious holiday. Tatars and Maris, Russians and Bashkirs, and Perm neighbors willingly come to visit the Udmurts. The entire huge meadow is painted with a rainbow of colors of national costumes, songs flow like an endless river, round dances swirl. Anyone who has ever visited Gerbera will never forget how people can have fun, what melodic songs they make, what beautiful things they can do with their own hands...
Russia Day
Russia Day or Russian Independence Day, as this holiday was called until 2002, is one of the “youngest” public holidays in the country. In 1994, the first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin, by his decree, gave June 12 national significance - the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia. Russia Day is a holiday of freedom, civil peace and good harmony of all people based on law and justice. This holiday is a symbol of national unity and shared responsibility for the present and future of our Motherland.
But Russia was and will be
Nikolay Rachkov
Her enemy judges her from above,
Presenting a fatal bill.
But Russia was and will be,
But Russia will not be lost.
They will lead you into a remote swamp
And they will show her a false ford.
An entire company died there
But Russia will not be lost.
Good! - and they take envy.
The passage will come through the black,
They will rob Russia to the skin.
But Russia will not be lost.
The world, like a bomb, will explode in evil,
It's going to be hot in hell for everyone.
And Russia itself will save itself
And he will lend his shoulder to the enemy.
My little homeland is Udmurtia
My little homeland is Udmurtia!
Dear, dear lands - Udmurtia!
Villages, villages, cities - Udmurtia!
Together we are with you forever, Udmurtia!
Time rushes towards fate,
I'll sing this song about you.
Live and flourish year after year
Our favorite spring region, Udmurtia!
Born from fairy tales and legends, Udmurtia!
Italmas golden bouquet - Udmurtia!
Pearls of dewdrops on the grass - Udmurtia!
An ear leaning towards the ground - Udmurtia!
The land of crystal clear springs - Udmurtia!
You are proud of the courage of your sons, Udmurtia!
You give blue-eyed daughters, Udmurtia!
Everyone needs your tenderness, Udmurtia!
On Saturday, another massive national holiday took place in Udmurtia - Gerber. Gerber is translated from the Udmurt language - “after the plow”. In other words, it is a holiday associated with the end of spring plowing in the fields. Today we will see how this beautiful national holiday is celebrated in its homeland in Udmurtia.
Gerber has been officially held in Udmurtia since 1992. Before the main republican holiday, small gerberas are held at the level of villages and regional centers of Udmurtia. The main holiday falls at the end of June and attracts a huge number of people from all over Udmurtia and even Russia. Every year the main Gerber is organized in different places of Udmurtia. This year it is Kezsky district. From Izhevsk to Kez it is approximately 170 km. and I left early in the morning to catch the beginning of the holiday.
Before I start reporting, I want to make a small digression.
Although I have lived in Udmurtia since birth, but since national traditions I don’t know it well, because my parents do not have Udmurt roots and came to Izhevsk through the Soviet distribution system after studying. Therefore, please forgive me for some inaccuracies.
1. The first meeting with the holiday awaited me already at the entrance to the village of Kez, several kilometers before the main site of the holiday. At the entrance, all guests are greeted by the hosts of the holiday national clothes, which sets the appropriate mood:
3. Gerber is celebrated this year in an open field near the village of Yuski, a few kilometers from the village of Kez. A small section follows a dirt road. It was very nice to see a machine that watered the primer with water. Thereby preventing the raising of dust:
4. Parking for guest cars is also organized in an open field:
5. A huge number of guests came to the holiday:
6. Gerber is somewhat reminiscent of the Tatar Sabantuy, or vice versa. But there is definitely something in common. An open field with a slight slope for better review. The main stage is located at the bottom of the slope:
7. I arrived just in time for the opening of the holiday:
9. The beginning of the holiday resembles a demonstration or the opening of the Olympic Games. First, small groups of representatives of Udmurtia districts pass by the spectators:
10. At first glance, this may seem pretentious, but we must not forget that it is the countryside that feeds the whole of Udmurtia:
11. Create a special flavor National costumes. As far as I know, they have their own characteristics in each region:
13. Everyone is greeted and accompanied by applause:
14. The Izhevsk group completes the representatives of Udmurtia:
15. I can’t help but mention this lady. Pay attention to manicure, jewelry and glasses. I think the wig is clearly visible. We'll see her again later:
16. Udmurtia is followed by representatives of other regions where Udmurts also live. The fact is that the total population of Udmurts in the Russian Federation is 552 thousand people, of which 410 thousand live in the territory of Udmurtia, the rest in other regions. The most numerous are represented on Gerbera:
18. Well, Moscow actually brings up the rear of the column:
19. Meanwhile, the performance of various groups begins on stage:
20. The sound is not bad, but rental. With the annual holding of such large-scale holidays It’s time for Udmurtia to buy its own device, and not “feed” the distributors. This is what the inner voice of a person who is directly involved in professional audio equipment in Izhevsk speaks to me:
21. Well, we continue:
22. The artists change on stage:
23. Everything is fun and playful. Guests really like:
24. Next to the stage there is a prize for the winner of the competition for the best village worker. By the way, I saw the same tractor two weeks ago at:
Here he is:
25. Let's see what they do to entertain guests besides the stage. Along the perimeter of the entire field you can find a lot of entertainment for both adults and children:
26. For example, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations offers to take part in the competition:
27. Two participants must temporarily put on combat equipment and hit the target with a stream from a fire hose:
28. Children also have something to do next to the fire truck:
29. In general, a lot has been done for children at Gerbera. Various attractions, games:
30. Swing:
31. There are signs like this throughout Gerbera. The truth is in the Udmurt language, because the holiday is Udmurt. In general, it seems to me that I was the only guest at this holiday who did not speak the Udmurt language, and this did not bother me at all:
32. There was also quite a bit of entertainment provided for adults:
34. National Udmurt fun - who will throw a huge log further. I'll tell you - it's impressive. They throw an average of 4-5 meters:
35. Learning to play a special whistle-pipe:
36. Weaving masters:
37. The artists reminded me:
38. Master classes on national Udmurt dances:
39. Many handmade souvenirs are offered. This is not some kind of China, as it is sold everywhere in the world:
41. We went to have a snack:
42. And here is our friend, giving an interview to the press:
43. They feed you porridge cooked over a fire in the old Udmurt way:
44. And this is a tangyra. An ancient Udmurt percussion instrument, with the help of which the ancestors of modern Udmurts called the people for a holiday or military campaign:
45. In general, I personally liked the organization of the holiday itself. Everything is very convenient, clear and accessible:
46. It is worth adding that Gerber 2015 was accompanied by intense heat. The temperature rose to 35 degrees by lunchtime:
47. It didn’t stop people from spending this Sabbath day with pleasure:
48. I think I’ll finish the report with this shot, because, in my opinion, it completely conveys the atmosphere of the Gerber holiday:
That's all!
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