“Pavochka khodyt’, piriachko hubyt’” – the peahen is walking and is losing her feather. These are the beginning lyrics from a number of Ukrainian koliadky [carols] and shchedrivky [New Year’s songs] on the courting/romantic theme, one very common in these ritual songs. But why the pava [peahen] or pavochka [peahen, diminutive], especially when it is … Continue reading The peacock and Christmas