I've been reading about Czech holidays and traditions and recently learned that Easter is the biggest holiday of the year, on par with Christmas. Our first weekend in Olomouc will be Easter, so it will be a wonderful time for people watching and outdoor festivals.
I learned of a strange tradition, however, that on Easter Monday, little boys are to make whips out of willow branches and then they beat the legs of the little girls while singing Easter carols and running through the village. They may even douse the little girls with buckets of water. In return, the little girls give the boys beautifully decorated Easter eggs wrapped in ribbons or candy. Apparently on Easter Monday, little boys end up with lots of pretty eggs and candies, while little girls end up with beaten legs and wet hair. But of course it's all in good fun. And they're only beaten lightly.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Boys get eggs and girls get beaten. There's no hidden patriarchy there.
ReplyDeleteNope, it's pretty much out loud and proud!
ReplyDeleteHegemonic structures! Something has to be done!!! :-)
ReplyDeletePS, upon arriving in Olomouc today, I learned that it is not the ankles that the little boys whip, but rather the behinds of the little girls. For real. We were promised a full demonstration on Monday. I can't wait.
ReplyDelete