Crafts
Name the most famous traditional Belarusian crafts
Weaving, embroidery, straw weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, woodcarving, glassblowing
What materials do blacksmiths use for their work?
Iron and other metals
What threads were used to make Slutsk belts?
Silk, gold and silver threads
In the past, people called an unexpected caller …
The most welcome visitor
What did children have to do before they could take a spoon?
To wash their face and hands
You can find a wide range of linen goods such as …
*name at least 4 goods
Tablecloths, napkins, bedding, curtains, clothes, amulet dolls, embroidered shirts, towels
Translate the following words into English:
веник, подкова, свисток, брелок, колокольчик
Broom, horseshoe, whistle, keychain, bell
What did people weave during epidemics and disasters to protect themselves?
A special linen towel called “abydzyonnik”
Did people receive guests in the same way in different parts of Belarus?
There were different customs of receiving guests in different parts of Belarus but politeness and hospitality were common to all.
Who usually took the most important seat at the table?
The father – at the head of the table
Why did Belarusians keep milk in a ceramic jug?
Milk remained fresh for longer in a ceramic jug
What is the difference between a fair and an exhibition?
A fair is an event where people bring their products for you to look at or buy.
An exhibition is a public show where art or other interesting things are displayed so that people can go and look at them.
In which cases did people use a rushnik? Why did they put a newborn baby in a piece of new linen?
In everyday life and in rituals; a new born baby was put in it so that it would be rich in the future
Why did hosts believe it was important to treat guests well?
They were sure that if they themselves got into such a situation, other people would treat them in the same way
Why did people eat slowly in silence during meals?
So that they wouldn’t choke
For what purposes did people use straw in the past?
To cover the roofs of their houses; to make clothes, footwear, hats, toys, decorations, amulet-protectors; as bedding for domestic animals
Which of the words below refers to jewellery, and which to accessories?
Hats, rings, bags, purses, earrings, wallets, bracelets
Hats, bags, purses, wallets – accessories;
Rings, earrings, bracelets – jewellery
How did people use hanging straw spiders in the past? What did people believe in?
As amulets; people believed that spiders would help them have a rich harvest
Why did the people study animal behaviour?
To know whether they should expect a visitor
What did parents tell their children about leftovers?
That the leftovers would come to them at night and wake them up