View source for Korovai

{{Short description|Traditional Eastern European bread}}
{{distinguish|Korowai people|Caraway}}
{{Infobox food
| name             = Korovai
| image            = 2013-01 Internationale Grüne Woche Berlin anagoria 15.JPG
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = Russian karavais at the [[Berlin International Green Week]]
| alternate_name   = Korovai
| country          = Possibly [[Bulgaria]]
| region           = [[Eastern Europe]]
| creator          =
| course           =
| type             = [[Bread]]
| served           =
| main_ingredient  = [[Wheat flour]]
| variations       =
| calories         =
| other            =
}}
[[File:Korovai_2020_G1.jpg|thumb|Wedding korovai in [[Kyiv]], 2020]]
The '''korovai''' ({{langx|uk|коровай}} {{IPA-uk|kɔrɔˈʋai̯||Uk-коровай.ogg}}, {{langx|ru|коровай}} before the [[Reforms of Russian orthography | 1956 reform]]), '''karavai''' (modern {{langx|ru|каравай}} {{IPA-ru|kərɐˈvaj|}}, {{langx|be|каравай}}, {{langx|orv|караваи}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://todiscoverrussia.com/russian-karavai/|title=Russian Karavai|date=28 May 2014|website= todiscoverrussia.com}}</ref> or '''kravai''' ({{langx|bg|кравай}} {{IPA-bg|krɐˈvaj|}}) is a traditional [[Bulgarian cuisine| Bulgarian]], [[Ukrainian cuisine| Ukrainian]], and [[Russian cuisine| Russian]] [[bread]], most often served at [[weddings]], where it has great [[symbol]]ic meaning. It has remained part of the wedding tradition in [[Belarus]], [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], as well as in the [[Russian diaspora |Russian]] and [[Ukrainian diaspora]]s. Its use in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine dates back to hospitality and holiday customs in ancient [[Rus' (region) |Rus]]. A similar bread ({{langx |pl| korowaj}}) is made in parts of eastern [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Kmietowicz |first= Frank A. |date=1982 |title=Slavic Mythical Beliefs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uBkRAQAAIAAJ&q=%22eastern+poland%22+korovai |location= Windsor, Ontario |page= 129 |oclc= 11124027}}</ref>
A round korovai is a common element of the [[bread and salt | bread-and-salt]] ceremony of welcome.
== Origins and decoration of korovai ==
The bread has ancient origins, and comes from the pagan belief in the magical properties of [[grain]].<ref name=eou>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CK%5CO%5CKorovaiIT.htm|title=Korovai|website=www.encyclopediaofukraine.com}}</ref>  Korovai was a large round braided [[bread]], traditionally baked from [[wheat flour]] and decorated with symbolic flags and figurines, such as suns, moons, birds, animals, and pine cones.<ref>Betsy Oppenneer. ''Celebration Breads: Recipes, Tales, and Traditions ''. [[Simon & Schuster]], 2003. {{ISBN|0-7432-2483-3}}</ref>  Wheat stalks, herbs, nuts, flowers and fruit were used to embellish the korovai. The white, shaped decorations are typically made from [[salt dough]], also known as dead dough or baker's clay. The bread has no set design, and the style and ornamentation of the korovai varies by region, although colors red, gold and silver were most commonly employed in decoration.<ref name=caravai>[http://www.nazdorovya.com/korovai.htm Korovai] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820094322/http://www.nazdorovya.com/korovai.htm |date=2008-08-20 }}. Nazdorovya: Korovai by Lisa McDonald. Site last updated: 31 August 2007</ref>
The bread was traditionally prepared in the home of the bride by women who sang traditional songs to guide them through the making.<ref name=eou/>  These women were called the ''korovainytsi'', and were most often invited in odd numbers to do the job of making the bread, usually seven.
The embellishments served a symbolic function. Two birds, made out of dough, represent the couple, and other birds represent family and friends. The entire arrangement is surrounded by a wreath of [[Vinca|periwinkle]], a symbol of love and purity. The korovai receives blessings before it is placed in the oven for baking.
The [[bride]] and [[Bridegroom|groom]] were given the korovai as a blessing before the wedding ceremony. The korovai was shared by all the wedding guests, and this was considered the culmination of the wedding. During times of hardship, when a wedding was impossible, the blessing and sharing of bread was often considered enough to constitute a marriage in the eyes of the community.<ref>Orysia Paszczak Tracz.  ''Vesillia: Ukrainian weddings in Manitoba over the last century ''.  ''[[The Ukrainian Weekly]]''. October 27, 2002.</ref>
== Dividing the korovai ==
The top part of the korovai symbolizes the Moon; it is divided in half and belongs to the marrying couple, the next slice goes to the mother and father of the bride, and so on.  In eastern Ukraine, the mother receives a pair of shoes made out of dough, while the father is given an owl, out of those decorating the korovai.<ref>[http://www.pisni.org.ua/arview.php?type=ar&id=94 Vesillia - Sviata Nedilia:  Sviatyi Caravai]. Pisni.org.ua</ref>
The bottom section of the korovai called the ''pidoshva'' can be shared with the guests and the band as a symbol of good luck and future prosperity.
== See also ==
* [[Kolach (bread)]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/korovai-ukrainian-wedding-bread  Korovai] at [[Atlas Obscura]], 2021
{{wedding}}
[[Category:Belarusian cuisine]]
[[Category:Russian cuisine]]
[[Category:Soviet cuisine]]
[[Category:Ukrainian cuisine]]
[[Category:Wedding food]]
[[Category:Yeast breads]]
[[Category:Slavic cuisine]]
[[Category:Bulgarian cuisine]]
[[Category:Polish cuisine]]