Easter pics

[vera_j]

Well, I was lucky today because I managed to get out in the morning and make some nice pictures in an Easter market for you.
I looked for those willow pleated rods called "pomlázka" and found lots of them and in all possible sizes.
Our Easter is, of course, based on the same biblical event , however there are certain traditions that are specifically Czech/Moravian. On Saturday, we usually decorate the eggs (hard boiled) - they are for playing and eating. Somewhere, they throw them in the air and then collect them and check on them and who has them intacts, wins. Or, as in our village, they roll the eggs from a wooden narrow though, which is fastened in a sharp angle on the grass. Again, whos eggs survive, he/she wins and gets also the other eggs. But this tradition is dying now.
On Easter Sunday, we have a big meal at noon, goose or duck or pork and dumplings and cabbage (breaking the fast - which is actually non-existent). People visit each other, some go to the church, some to the pub. In the afternoo, the children go and say the chants and get some treat, They have  "pomlázka" and they beat a lady of a house to keep her healthy and fertile. The second is forgotten now. Some Pomlázka are works of art, fine examples of traditional craft. Men/boys pleat them from four - 12 long willow twigs and decorate them with ribbons they receive from the girls as a token/reward/ransom. Oh, and it hurts, some men can flog you quite unmercifully!
However at present, there are almost only children, who visit the houses.Adults no more go and sing!
the pics here:

Comments

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Thank you too! :-)