Easter tradition in Slovakia

Easter holidays are big in Slovakia. Actually bigger than Christmas. Days are celebrated by fasting, then vegetarian day, then a big dinner and finally on Easter Monday the males (especially in the mountain and villages) braid whips out of willow trees and visit local girls and whip them, douse them with water (usually in creeks) and then pour perfume on them. Whipping for good health, watering for longevity, perfume for love and vitality. Lucky girls. Then the men are given hard boiled or blown painted eggs and fed. This tradition I got to experience with my male cousins. I just got dressed and was instantly whipped, watered and doused with perfume. This happened five times.En savoir plus