Easter Week is upon us here in the Czech Republic (Velikonoce) and as the last bit of winter leaves us, the spring gives us hope.....and many unique traditions.
Decorated eggs, lamb dinner, religious reflection, and of course "playful whipping" of your favorite village sweetheart. What the What ?!!
Yep, this is an active Monday after Easter tradition. You can find these hand made weaved pussywillow whips, called "pomlázka", sold throughout the republic this time of year. Now, this may seem strange to foreign sensibilities, but this 15th century tradition is supposed to usher in a good growing spring for crops. In some strange way, it is supposed to also endear a young woman to the boy who softly swacks her posterior. The young lady can avoid such playful punishment with the giving of a painted Easter egg called a "kraslice". In today's age, I would make certain you discuss this aforementioned whipping with the young lady in advance and thus avoid her fist to your face:-)......Good times.
Decorated eggs, lamb dinner, religious reflection, and of course "playful whipping" of your favorite village sweetheart. What the What ?!!
Yep, this is an active Monday after Easter tradition. You can find these hand made weaved pussywillow whips, called "pomlázka", sold throughout the republic this time of year. Now, this may seem strange to foreign sensibilities, but this 15th century tradition is supposed to usher in a good growing spring for crops. In some strange way, it is supposed to also endear a young woman to the boy who softly swacks her posterior. The young lady can avoid such playful punishment with the giving of a painted Easter egg called a "kraslice". In today's age, I would make certain you discuss this aforementioned whipping with the young lady in advance and thus avoid her fist to your face:-)......Good times.
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