The rite of spring Soroki (aka Forties) also known as The Holy Forty or The Larks is performed on the vernal equinox when “the day equals the night”. The Christian tradition associated it with the Day of Remembrance for the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste marked on 22 March. Hence the name!
It was during these days, between the Meeting of the Lord and the Annunciation, that our ancestors honored those who died for the Christian faith and performed an unusually beautiful spring rite. It was long believed that the larks, messengers of the most inspiring time of the year, return to their native lands during this time.
Belarusians baked bird-shaped buns from fresh dough especially for the holiday. These "larks" as well as real birds symbolize the souls of ancestors (martyrs), who return in the spring to revive nature, to warm the earth with sunlight. Since ancient times people tried to learn more about their health by tossing buns in the air. The higher the bun soared, the healthier its owner would be.
In addition, the first "lark" was always thrown into the fire as a sacrifice to the sun. Ritual buns were given to relatives, friends, neighbors, and to pets. In some parts of Belarus they were even buried in the ground for a good harvest.
On this day people used to swing. It was believed that the higher you pushed, the higher flax would grow.
Today these beautiful traditions are carefully preserved and performed in different regions of Belarus.