Los człowieka na płótnie wyhaftowany – ręcznik obrzędowy jako symbol kultury materialnej Białorusinów z Podlasia
The fate of man on canvas embroidered – a ritual towel as a symbol of material culture of Belarusians from Podlasie region

Summary/Abstract: This article shows the importance of a ritual towel, its ornamentation, types, application, symbolism, creation motifs and the place it occupies in the lives of Belarusians living in the region of eastern Poland. The towel accompanies Belarusians from birth, engagement, through marriage, wedding, to death. There are two types of Belorussian towels in the Podlasie Region: casual and ceremonial towels. They perform practical, aesthetic, religious, symbolic, cleansing, protective and mystical functions. The content of the article was obtained by an analysis of literature directly related to the subject of research, formal analysis of documents and products of research, observations and in-depth ethnographic interviews. By using these research techniques, the author interpreted the symbolism of the Belarusian ceremonial towel. The presented research also helped to determine its place and manner of use by Belarusians in specific rituals and customs.

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