Customs are part of the pre-Christmas season for the Sorbs and Wends in Lusatia. One of them is the Jänschwalder Christkind (Janšojski bog), the Lower Lusatian harbinger of Christmas. He traditionally brings his blessing to the "Stuben". On Wednesday, the Wendish Museum in Cottbus and the Witaj Language Center invited pupils learning Sorbian to take part in the old custom. The language center accompanies Sorbian learners from nursery school to grammar school.
The Christ Child, also known as the "Bescherkind" in GDR times, appears as a "divine figure" - veiled with white beaded ribbons, as Madlena Norberg from the museum's support association describes. It is wearing white gloves and boots and a skirt made of embroidered ribbons. The very special feature is the green headdress, which completely covers the face with the ribbons. In her left hand, the Christ Child carries a small bag with gifts - usually apples and nuts.
A little bell is his distinguishing mark as he travels through villages and towns. It touches people's shoulders with a "rod of life", strokes their cheeks and gives its blessing. "The person touched is blessed and has good luck and health for the whole of the next year," Norberg explains the tradition. The ceremony takes place in silence. This is intended to emphasize the contemplative nature of the pre-Christmas period.
