 A custom to use a domestic animal as a "polaznik" was kept in some regions until the first half of the 20th century.A sheep, ox, swine, or calf was led into the house on Christmas morning.In the west Serbian region of Rađevina, centered on the town of Krupanj, the head of household would place a sheep between himself and the fireplace, and pronounce the aforementioned words while striking the "badnjak" with a branch cut from it.