In the times, when Kolberg was travelling in Podolia, Czortków belonged to the Kingdom of Galicia under the rule of Austria-Hungary. This area was inhabited by Poles, Ruthenians, Jews and members of other ethnic groups and denominations. Their traditions intermingled creating a characteristic cultural mosaic.

Among eastern parts of the former Polish Commonwealth, Kolberg was interested mainly in the Ruthenian folklore. His materials include plenty of songs in Ruthenian dialect written in Latin alphabet.

In materials related to Galicia Podolia, there is a description of the Easter service: “A low, wooden Orthodox church is located on a hill. The lights from the inside give off a glare through the doors and windows illuminating the surroundings of the church. A crowd congregates around this light and fills up the building. When there is no more space left, people gather around the building; they press themselves against the walls to participate more in the service which is taking place at the moment. Soft prayers can be heard interwoven with bows and mournful, tearful singing. At once, one, two, several louder voices break the silence. The shout of joy comes from the crowd: ‘Khrystos Voskres!’ [Christ is Risen]. The bells send this message farther and farther”.

Even in the 19th century, in the region of Czortków, people cultivated some old rites from pre-Christian times: “people here cultivate ancient idolatry. On Easter, young people gather next to the church and dance and sing in a performance called ‘hajówka’. It is probably a remnant of some pagan cult”.