Tisztítóünnephez

Tisztítóünnephez refers to a Hungarian purification festival, typically celebrated on certain days and during the entire Christmas period in some regions of Hungary.

The festival is known by various names in different regions, including Tisztítóünnep, or Tisztítás. Although its origins are unclear, it is believed to have roots in pre-Christian Hungarian traditions, possibly influenced by Slavic and Eastern European customs.

According to folklore, the festival involves various rituals and activities designed to purify and cleanse people, homes, and farm animals of negative energies and evil spirits. These practices may include the use of cleansing herbs, sacred water, and other symbolic items.

People participating in Tisztítóünnephez engage in activities such as washing and offering food and drinks to the deceased family members, praying for their souls and seeking their protection. They also sweep their homes, courtyards, and farms, clean the food stores, and perform various other cleansing tasks to prepare for new beginnings.

The festival's timing and duration differ across regions, often coinciding with major Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter. In some localities, it may be celebrated immediately after the new year, as a way to mark the passage from the old to the new year. The Tisztítóünnephez highlights the complex mixture of old and new influences in Hungarian folklore, reflecting a blend of pagan and Christian traditions that are characteristic of Eastern European heritage.