Jump Through the Fire

 

While preparing a post for this blog on the Metallica song, Jump in the Fire (see 4 December 2024), I came across information about the annual Ivana Kupala (Ivan the Battler/John the Baptist) Festival held in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and the Baltic States on the 6th and 7^th days of each July. While now considered to have Christian meanings, the Ivana Kupala Festival is a continuation of ancient pagan festivals such as the Celtic Beltane. Jumping over the fire seems to represent purity and cleansing. Cattle were often driven between two fires to protect them from disease.

The Ivana Kupala Festival was originally held during the Summer Solstice, but was moved to John the Baptist’s birthday and Christianized/assimilated by church authorities.

During the festival, people dance around, and jump over, roaring campfires. They then bathe in rivers and lakes to purge themselves of their sins, bring themselves good luck, and ensure their good health. Additionally, couples jump through the flames hand-in-hand to ensure that they will have a happy and prosperous marriage.

Many of the female celebrants wear wreaths made from vines, leaves, and flowers and dress in traditional national clothing.

themoscowtimes.com/archive/jumping-through-fire-at-a-slavic-pagan-festival

The Honey Beez

The 73^rd Magic City Classic college football game was held last Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama between the Hornets of Alabama State University and the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University. The Bulldogs won the game 37-36 before a crowd of 67,710. 

The Alabama State University Honey Beez (pronounced the same as “honeybees”) are one of the treasures of the State of Alabama. They are a plus-sized dance team which performs during the university’s college football games. The players on the football team are known as the Hornets and the cheerleaders are the Stingettes.

The Honey Beez are proof that everyone has something to contribute, especially those who are often excluded. As members of the Body of Christ we would do well to remember this. Not only should we remember that every one of us has been given gifts but that we are expected to exercize those gifts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3RUUqwR_9I  (2013 game highlights)

She Dances

Here is an excellent article posted in An Upside Down World, my friend Mark's teaching blog.  "Every little girl deserves to dance and dream."

The Traditional Dance of the Acholi Tribe

The predominately Christian Acholi tribe is found in Uganda and the southern portion of Sudan.  They speak a Nilotic language.  The majority of Acholi are Roman Catholic or Protestant.  A minority are Muslim.  This video is of their traditional tribal Bwola dance.

All the men carry small drums and everyone follows the lead of one man.  It is considered to be an honor to lead the dance.  Originally the dance could only be called by order of the tribal chief.

The dance, which may last for several hours, is performed in a circle and represents the fence around the royal residence.  "Bwola" apparently means "lies" or"deceit."  I am not sure how this relates to the dance.  Perhaps someone in Uganda or Sudan can explain the meaning of the dance

(Some videos will not play properly when you click on the triangle.  Instead,  click on the title line in the picture and the video will begin .  When the video is completed, close the You Tube pop-up window to return to this blog.)

Navaratri

Navaratri: This Sanskrit word literally means "nine nights" and is a movable holiday (the dates change based on lunar cycles) which this year occurs from the 19th to the 27th.  The holiday is a festival of dance and Shakti worship.