Обычаи, традиции, легенды
«Don Cossacks»
The Cossacks were brave warriors and skilful hunters, courageous defenders of southern Russian frontiers. This gave birth to their unique mode of life, clothes, customs and traditions.
Their banner has three stripes. They symbolize the unity of three qualities: nobleness ( crimson), bravery (blue) and the fate of the Don Cossacks (yellow).
The Cossacks should fight during wars.
The Cossacks have to develop new lands.
The Cossacks must defend their Motherland
The Don Cossacks dressed in the clothes of different nomadic people, which they brought from their raids and campaigns. They were fond of colorful and picturesque clothes. They used crimson or pink color in their uniform. They had a narrow red stripe on their headdresses. It was a symbol of blood trickling down from the head of a wounded Cossack.
Of great importance for every Cossack were a horse and his equipment. The family must buy it for the military service. It was very expensive. When the Cossack was sent to the service the family asked the horse to save their son and not to leave him in trouble. When a horse died, the whole family grieved.
The Cossacks have their own mode of life, traditions and culture. Singing was very popular among the Don Cossacks.
For Cossacks, to appear in public with her head uncovered, was considered as a sin and a shame.
According to custom, all Cossacks gathered in the Church . When he left for war, he always took a handful of earth from the Church with the grave of the father, the mother, or in the garden near the house.
Cossack families were very large (5-10 people). The Cossacks wife turned to her husband, only by name. The husband turned to his wife the same way. When the boy was born all relatives made gifts of arrows, bullets, guns, bows. All these gifts they hung on the wall above the new-born child. When the boy was 40-50 days he was conferred into Cossacks.
At the age of three the child was allowed to ride in the yard. When he was 7 or 8 years he galloped in the steppes. The Cossacks taught their sons to swim across the Don, to fire a rifle and a pistol.
The parents brought up their children to be ready for military service and developed their courage, audacity, love to their Motherland.
At 8 or 9 years old children went to school, where they studied history of the Fatherland, military affair, later – gymnastics.
At the age of 18, when young Cossacks entered preparatory grade, they took the oath of office.
At seventeen, the young Cossack was awarded a sword as a symbol of the full rights of a Cossack
We honor traditions and customs of Cossacks. Every year we organize different activities, festivals and parties. we must not only cherish these traditions, but to use them in their family traditions: grandfather sing songs, dance folk dances, good to know its history, holidays and ceremonies, be proud of your Cossack roots.
Warrior – воин
Banner – знамя
Crimson – малиновый
Equipment – снаряжение
Stripes- - полоски
Confer - даровать
Задание №1
Ответить на вопросы к тексту.
1. What has influenced the development of the Don Cossacks’ character?
2. What kind of fighters were the Cossacks?
3. What were the methods of upbringing in Cossacks families?
4. How did the Cossacks christen their sons?
5. What did the Cossack take with him when he was going to war?
6. Are the Don Cossacks proud of their traditions and customs?
Задание №2
Напишите предложения, используя эти слова.
Cossack leave in trouble
symbolize colorful
arrow different activities
banner roots
Задание №3
Исправьте следующие слова, предложения. (Найдите ошибки).
1. The Cossacks was brave warriors and skilful hunters.
2. This gave birth to her unique mode of life.
3. When the boy was 4-5 days he was conferred into Cossacks.
4. They were not fond of colorful and picturesque clothes.
5. At 8 or 9 years old children went to school, where they studied history of the Fatherland, military affair, later – gymnastics.
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