Strange Easter Traditions

I was under the illusion that we didn’t have any strange Easter traditions in America. But then I started thinking about it – about the strange things we do around the holidays – and I realized we have some really bizarre rituals. Basing warm weather on a groundhog’s shadow? Come on. Who are we? So, since Easter‘s on its way, I decided to investigate strange traditions and customs affiliated with the holiday. Here, in America, we have the classic egg rolling competitions, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and an oversized rabbit that drops off baskets of candy. These traditions sound pretty weird, but in comparison with those from around the globe, the old U.S. of A. is looking pretty tame.

Strange Easter Traditions

Ewe

I’ve had one once, at a friend’s house (Mom, don’t freak out). Apparently, this is a Polish tradition, but I don’t remember my friend being Polish, so who knows. Anyhow, they carve lambs out of butter and have the small dairy figurine blessed by a priest. This all sounds okay, right? I mean, a lamb made out of butter is a cute way to decorate a table for Easter. But then there’s the way that it’s to be eaten; this dairy delight is to be consumed back to front, leaving its head as a sacrifice. Creepy.

Over Eggaggerate

Apparently, Europe has some fascination with dairy products because to celebrate Easter in Haux, France, they make an omelet. And no, obviously I wouldn’t be mentioning it if it were skillet size. This omelet is made of a whopping 4,500 eggs and is large enough to feed 1,000 people – or basically – most of the town. Cutting that into equal portions must get old pretty quick.

Bippidy-Bobbity-Boo

Yeah, apparently, there is such a thing as an Easter witch. In Northern European countries, such as Sweden and Finland, children get all gussied up in witch attire and partake in some good wholesome Easter fun. I’m all for Halloween all year round, but collecting Easter eggs as a witch does seem slightly strange.

Pyromaniac Party

To welcome spring, the fine folks of North-Western Europe get together and drag their Christmas trees to a predetermined spot in the countryside. (Can you imagine saving your tree until Easter?) They then set the old firs ablaze to chase away the darkness of winter and enjoy the night dancing and singing around the campfire, drinking ale, and having a good time.

Wholesome Wallops

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, whips are NBD. To celebrate Easter, men make a whip, often out of willow, to spank women with. This disconcerting ritual has something to do with keeping women pretty and maintaining good health for an entire year, though I can’t quite see how.

Traditional Easter Baskets

Let’s be thankful that here in the U.S. the Easter bunny delivers Easter baskets filled with candy and toys. We’re a little biased, but we love that our Easter baskets make the Easter bunny’s job a little easier!

 

Photo by Olya Kobruseva from Pexels