Easter is celebrated in different ways around the world, and some traditions can be quite unusual and even bizarre. From gigantic omelettes to self-crucifixion, here are some of the most unusual and funny Easter traditions from around the world!
In Bessières, a small town in southern France, Easter Monday is marked by cooking up one giant omelette. Residents crack 15,000 eggs into a gigantic pan and serve portions of the omelette to thousands of observers. The tradition is said to have started when Napoleon Bonaparte visited the town and ate an omelette which he enjoyed so much, that he ordered the townspeople to gather their eggs and make a larger one for his army the next day.
While the French enjoy their egg-based feast, women in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are advised to stay indoors on Easter Monday. Local men and boys roam the streets with gaily decorated willow whips (called pomlázka), usually adorned with ribbons, looking for girls to ‘lightly’ whip. The whipping is not intended to be painful, but instead is meant to encourage good health and beauty. Needless to say, the tradition is seen as quite controversial and discouraged nowadays.
In the Philippines, some devout Catholics take part in self-crucifixion and self-flagellation on Easter as a way of purifying themselves and cleansing themselves of the sins of the world or paying homage to the suffering of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church condemns the practice and actively discourages it, but it still continues to be performed in some parts of the country.
In Sweden and Finland, Maundy Thursday is marked by a tradition that has some similarities to American Halloween. Children dress up as Easter witches or old men and go door-to-door wishing people a happy Easter in exchange for candy. The tradition has a rather sinister origin and goes back to the times of witch hunts in the 1600’s. In Sweden it was believed that in the past, witches flew to a legendary island called Blåkulla, where the Devil would welcome them to his court around the time of Easter. It was a place where roles were reversed: old people became young, women took on men’s roles.
No, these Spanish penitents have nothing to do with the KKK. In Spain, Holy Week—or Semana Santa—is celebrated the week leading up to Easter Sunday. During this time, many cities and towns host processions where participants wear traditional robes and hoods, including the iconic pointy hats known as capirotes. The use of these hats dates back to medieval times when they were worn as a form of penance, and today they are still a symbol of humility and devotion. The hoods are often worn by members of religious brotherhoods, who participate in the processions as a form of spiritual reflection and public display of their faith.
In Poland, Easter Monday isn’t just about chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts. It’s also a day for some good, old-fashioned water fights! Wet Monday (also known as “Śmigus-Dyngus”) is a Polish Easter tradition where people drench each other with water as a symbol of purification and renewal. Young boys and girls often take to the streets armed with water pistols and buckets, ready to soak anyone in their path. But don’t worry, it’s all in good fun! So if you’re ever in Poland on Wet Monday, make sure to bring a change of clothes and be prepared to get soaked!
That’s it my bunnies! So now you’ve been warned, if you ever find yourself in a Finnish sauna on Easter, don’t be surprised if someone whips you with birch twigs while dressed as a witch. Happy Easter!
