Hutsul hospitality, Hutsul cuisine, Hutsul wedding... It seems that being Hutsul should be taken as synonymous to being awesome, mainly due to this community's amazing authenticity! This article will answer the question what kind of people they really are and how they manage to turn everything they touch – into a pearl of Ukrainian culture.
Hutsuls are an ethnic group of Ukrainians living in the Carpathian mountains. Their origins are still debatable between ethnographers. Some consider them to be direct descendants of ancient tribes which resided on the territory of the modern Carpathians for many hundreds of years. Other scientists are inclined to think that Hutsuls derived from Slavs who migrated from other parts of Europe in the Middle Ages, arguably due to Mongol-Tatar raids or feudal wars. The third theory is that Hutsuls arose as a result of ethnic mixing between Romanians and Hungarians. The reality is probably somewhere in between...
Present-day Hutsuls are one of the most unique communities in Ukraine. Residing mostly in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Transcarpathian regions, they are known for their vibrant culture, unparalleled proficiency in folk crafts, affinity for singing and dancing, not to mention their peculiar love for exquisite garments. Hutsul traditional clothing is an artform in its own right, as can be seen through their everyday wardrobe items, headdresses and jewelry. Most Hutsuls love beautifying their homes, which are often full of embroidered towels, carpets, intricate wood-carved furniture and hand-painted icons. Colorfulness is a distinctive feature of these Carpathian highlanders, with each color and ornament having its own deeper meaning.
Over the centuries, Hutsuls have created a unique lore full of legends and myths, whimsical omens and superstitions. For example, they have a ceremony of seeing shepherds off to the highland pastures. Accompanied by choral singing, the elder shepherd lights the ritual bonfire 'vatra', young boys perform the 'arcan' dance, while holding small axes in their hands. This set of rituals is followed by the whole community tasting the cheese. Only then, shepherds and sheep may depart safely. During the winter holidays, various divination rituals are practiced. On Christmas Eve, for example, a homeowner should get a wooden twig from the first caroller to visit the house – and hit the cow so that it stays fertile. As you may have already guessed, Hutsuls have a large number of beliefs about the earth, fire, animals and the sky. Takes long to tell it all, you have to ask the locals personally.
Hutsul wedding is a truly unique thing. So lush, so loud, so colorful! Lasting for several days, some of those gather up to 30 families. Wearing traditional garments, the newlyweds go to church on horseback. The wedding festivities consist of both cheerful and sad songs, dances and entertainment. A loaf of bread is a mandatory attribute, as well as embroidered towels, fresh flowers bouquets, which are used to decorate the clothes, the festive premises and the surrounding trees.
The ethnos is known for their long-lasting tradition of fortune-telling. In smaller communities, elderly mystics called 'molfars' – are revered as spiritual leaders. Wielding undeniable authority, molfars are said to predict the future, control the forces of nature and have the ability to heal their neighbors.
Hutsuls are unparalleled in their cheerfulness and hospitality. Meet this unique community and enjoy the region's authenticity with the assistance of our professional guides. Starting from Bukovel resort, we will take you down the stunningly beautiful path to discover sightseeing locations, local cuisine and dozens of Hutsul legends. Remember, the best trips are those in which you discover not places, but people!