It is thought that the masks ward off bad luck and bring good luck to the people that are visited. It is also common to end the day by gathering around a bonfire to share stories and welcome the longer days coming ahead.
If you’re thinking that this all sounds very ritualistic, that’s because it is (or was, rather)! The early pagan tribes of Latvia that were not yet Christianized held many rituals that were heavily tied to seasons. During earlier rituals, it was very common for “stick and straw men” (similar to scarecrows) to be put together and then burned in the fire while the people of the pagan tribes, wearing traditional folk masks, gathered around the flames. This burning was thought to destroy the evil spirits of the past year. Though these tribes have been largely disbanded and no longer exist on their own, present-day Latvians still hold onto many pagan ritual celebrations. Rather than simply replace these traditions with more western-typical Christmas traditions, Latvians integrate the two into a wonderful celebration!
Latvian Masked Processions are heavily connected to the environment, as are many pagan rituals across the world. Like I previously said, this tradition takes place during the winter solstice. When the days are long, dark, snowy and cold, the fire brings light and warmth, and the gathering of people displays togetherness. Not only does weather/climate and season tie into the celebration, but so do other elements of the natural world.
