No Proof for Viral Image Claiming "Wives Apologizing to Husbands Tradition"

We have come across an ongoing claim that has been widely circulated over the past few years. This claim is often accompanied by a specific image, purporting to depict an unusual tradition from a bygone era. More specifically, this alleged tradition is said to have been prevalent during the late 18th to early 19th centuries.

Social Media Post

A black and white picture of women kneeling before men has been circulating on several platforms. The accompanying claim states, "In the late 1800s to early 1900s, it was tradition for wives to kneel before their husbands on December 31st and apologize for anything they did wrong during the year."

The post was shared over 15 thousand times on Facebook.

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

We also found a similar claim with the different picture.

Source | Archive

Fact-Check

Lack of Documentation: Despite its widespread circulation on social media and in various articles, there is no credible historical evidence to support the existence of such a tradition. There are no mentions of this practice in historical records, diaries, or accounts from the relevant era.

Cultural Variations: Different cultures and societies have unique customs and rituals. While some traditions involve apologies and forgiveness, there's no evidence that this specific act was universally practiced.

Questionable Image: The image often associated with this supposed tradition depicts a woman kneeling before a man. However, the source and authenticity of this image are unverified. Some versions suggest it was related to a Russian "White Dance" tradition, where women invited men to dance.

According to AfricaCheck, the very same image was found on Russian social media with the caption: "Etiquette a century ago. Ladies invite gentlemen to the White Dance, 1900." This suggests that it depicts women inviting men to the traditional Russian White Dance. The "White Dance" involved women asking men to dance, a reversal of tradition. This inspired the Russian Women’s League White Dance Festival, honoring both genders. A similar tradition exists in the US and Canada, known as the Sadie Hawkins Dance.

Summary

The claim that wives in the late 1800s to early 1900s would kneel before their husbands on December 31st to apologize for their yearly mistakes is still lacking necessary evidence. There is no credible historical evidence to support such a tradition. The image often associated with this claim has multiple interpretations, with some suggesting it's related to a Russian "White Dance" tradition, but this is also unsupported. Thus, the widely circulated claim is debunked due to a lack of evidence.