Rituals on Christmas Holidays as a Gender-Marked Discourse in Traditional Ukrainian Culture

Sažetak

The article reveals one of the longstanding oppositions of the male and female principles, taking into account axiological cha­racteristics. The reasons for the destruction of patriarchal gender stereotypes, which are preserved in the Ukrainian ceremonial dis­course, in particular during the Christmas holidays, are considered. The manifestations of stereotypes of femininity and masculinity in rituals during the preparation and the holiday itself (Christmas) in different regions of Ukraine are analysed in detail. The authors have identified, described and explained regional „inconsistencies“ in the manifestations of traditional gender stereotypes, taking into account the peculiarities of the mythological outlook of our ance­stors. In the entire Ukrainian ceremonial discourse and at Christmas as well, ritual actions were associated with imitative and protective magic. Such actions were usually performed only by women. Chri­stmas was no exception in this regard, although in some regions men were involved in ritual acts of magic and even performed such acts on their own or with assistants (a son or a wife). Such destru­ction of gender stereotypes is explained neither by the substitution of the subject in Christmas rituals, nor by the masculine-centricity of Christmas in general, but by the fact that while celebrating the birth of the sun (during paganism) or Jesus Christ (after Christia­nity), men served as the spirit of God, the very deity, who was omnipresent and helpful to a man. Traditional gender stereotypes are preserved and presented in the Christmas rituals: a woman con­structs and protects the family micro-world within her home, and a man, like the Highest, takes care of the macro world.