Šiupinys Celebration in Lithuania Minor
Šiupinys - a ceremonial meal of archaic origin, cooked from peas, groats, potatoes, and a pig’s head, legs, and tail - is mentioned in the written sources of Lithuania Minor from the 18th century. Under the German name schuppnis, it was common as an easy-to-cook and hearty traveler’s meal in East Prussian inns. The first Šiupinys celebration put together by Lietuvininkai, and combining the tasting of Šiupinys stew and an artistic program - was organized in 1927 by the Lithuanian Women’s Society of Klaipėda in Bumbulienė’s living room. The annual celebrations have declined since 1940, but the tradition of making Šiupinys has not stopped in families, and after the war Šiupinys parties were loved and organized by Lithuanian emigrants in Germany, the United States of America and Canada.
After 1990, the Lietuvininkai community “Mažoji Lietuva” revived the Šiupinys celebration in Klaipėda. Traditionally, it takes place every year in various communities and evangelical Lutheran parishes in Klaipėda, Šilutė, Priekulė and others. Community members and parishioners of various ages gather to spend time together, chat, sing praises to God, play music, sing, and perform other communal tasks. The tasting of Šiupinys has become an integral part of the traditional Shrove Tuesday Užgavėnės celebration in many municipalities and localities of Lithuania Minor. Traditional cooking technology is followed: potatoes and peas are stewed, and meat products are boiled, stewed, and fried separately and then added to the stew when served. There is a search for new, participatory and diverse programs of the event – such as to organize Šiupinys cooking competitions, collect funds for charity, or every year to have a different hosting family who is responsible for cooking Šiupinys and inviting the villagers to their yard. In the past, depending on local characteristics, social status, etc., each family followed its own recipe when making Šiupinys. Nowadays, the recipe changes due to the appearance of new food products, but a traditional Šiupinys in Lithuania Minor is unimaginable without pork and peas.
Submission by the of Klaipėda City Municipality Centre of Ethnic Culture
Tradition bearers – members of Lietuvininkai (Lithuanians of Lithuania Minor) organizations in Lithuania and the world, evangelical Lutheran parish communities, cultural institutions of the region