Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/23

brought riches to those who sold themselves to him.

Skriatok was a god possessing the form of a small black chick. To obtain his favor one would have to carry an egg, laid by black chicken, under his arm for seven weeks, during which time he was to recite certain prayers. At the end of the seven week a black chick would be hatched which was then to be put in the attic. A hole was drilled into the ceiling, through which money poured to those who possessed the chick or skriatok.

Svetlonos was believed to be spirit in the form of a small flying light (probably a fire-fly who led people to their destruction during the night.

Dedko was the fireside god who lived under the doorstep.

Rarasek was the god of wind and the people pictured him as the smallest evil spirit in hell.

Jezibaba, well known even now, was an ugly old woman with beard over a foot long. The witch in English seems to come close to the Slovak Jezibaba.

Hoja Dunda was some kind of crazed goddess and the Slovak of today call young women, who are a little too lively, “Hoja Dunda”.

At their burnt offerings the ancient Slovaks sacrificed animals, mostly chickens, bakery, honey cheese, and other foods. They also had drink offerings and the father of the family would, on the occasion of sacrifice, deliver a toast in some god’s honor.

Among other things connected with the pagan Slovak worship were the priests. Some were known as wizards, and travelled all over the land; others were stationed at a permanent place of sacrifice.

The Slovak burials resembled those of the Romans. The bodies were dressed in the best clothes; if the body was that of a warrior, his coat of arms went with him. The funeral pyre was built and after the fire consumed the corpse the ashes were put into an urn and preserved.

If a young unmarried man or lady died, the funeral was preceded by a marriage at which the dead body was married to the living one. The funeral over, a feas usually followed. Even here in America, the Slovaks today observe the custom of returning to the home of the deceased and having their little feast.

This paganism, by which the Slovak, no doubt, tried to satisfy his belief in a Creator, was replaced by Christianity in 863, which is the religion of the Slovaks today. May Christ always rule this devout and docile race.