U radu se navode i interpretiraju suvremeni terenski zapisi o običajima, obredima i ophodima vezanim uz Badnjicu nastali 2011. godine i u travnju 2016. godine na području Posušja. Interpretacija se nadopunila korištenjem književno-teorijske literature. Badnjica je dan prije Božića kada se kršćani pripremaju duhovno i materijalno za rođenje Isusa Krista. Za Badnje jutro i dan karakteristični su: priprema badnjaka, post, čišćenje i ukrašavanje kuće i okućnice, pravljenje kolača, priprema svijeća za Božić, kićenje božićnoga drvca (bora ili jelke) i pravljenje jaslica. Badnju večer karakteriziraju: unošenje badnjaka, škropljenje, zajednička molitva, posna večera, pjevanje božićnih pjesama te bdijenje i odlazak na misu ponoćku. Velik je broj običaja, obreda i ophoda vezanih uz Badnje jutro, dan i večer na području Posušja iščeznuo ili se promijenio, stoga je nužno zapisivati ih kako ih ne bismo nepovratno izgubili.The paper presents and interprets contemporary field notes on customs, ceremonies and processions related to Christmas Eve, recorded in 2011 and in April 2016 in the area of Posušje. The interpretation is complemented by the use of literary-theoretical sources.
Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day when Christians get spiritually and materially prepared for the birth of Jesus Christ. The morning and the day of Christmas Eve is characterized by: the preparation of the Yule log, fasting, cleaning and decorating house interior and exterior, making cakes, preparing candles for Christmas, decorating the Christmas tree (pine or fir-tree) and creating nativity scene. The evening of Christmas Eve is characterized by: bringing the Yule log into the house, sprinkling with holy water, praying together, having fasting dinner, singing Christmas carols, holding vigil and going to the Midnight Mass. A great number of customs, rituals and processions related to Christmas Eve in the area of Posušje have disappeared or changed, therefore it is necessary to record them so that they would not be irretrievably lost
