Woman's honor and debaucherous parties. Wedding and ceremony of "pantry". Everywhere prohibitions and songs of shame. The picture of what the intimate relationships of Ukrainians were like gives a double impression if you rely only on folk folklore. How was everything really and how did we love?
In her new book, ethnologist Iryna Ihnatenko tells the story of intimate relationships in Ukrainian traditions. What men and women did Ukrainians consider beautiful and desirable, how did they meet and what means of "seduction" did they resort to? What did our great-great-grandmothers wear and how did the calendar of religious holidays affect the schedule of hygiene procedures and sex? What restrictions on intimate relationships were there even in marriage? Why were betrayals kept quiet and how was the future number of children determined by broken pots?
From the first hug to the first wedding night, pregnancy, childbirth, illness, and extramarital affairs. The author describes the attitude toward one's own body and physicality at that time, the peculiarities of wedding ceremonies and contraception, childbirth, and prohibitions.
Iryna Ihnatenko is an ethnologist, writer, podcaster, publisher; candidate of historical sciences, and associate professor.
The author of almost 100 scientific and popular science works, including the books: "Marital and Family Relations in the Traditional Culture of Ukrainians", "The Female Body in the Traditional Culture of Ukrainians", "The Male Body in the Traditional Culture of Ukrainians: a popular scientific edition", "Ethnology for the People: Customs, Rites, Beliefs, Holidays of Ukrainians", "Folk Medicine and Magic of Ukrainians", "Folk Medicine of Ukrainians of Central Polissia: Traditions and Modernity (based on ethnographic field materials)".
Host and author of the podcast "How We Made Love."
