Czech Tibit III

Sorry for lapsing on the Czech Tibits, but so little time, so much to do! Luckily it rained all day today, and is supposedly snowing in parts of Praha, so I didn't really do much today. Well in honor of the spirit of the season I have decided to let you know about Czech Easter Traditions. They are quite unusually, but then again they probably think out traditions back in the US are unusual. Here you go!

A Bit of History
Since 1989, Easter has once again gained it's magnificent glory here in the Czech Republic of colorful traditions such as kraslice, pomlázka, and velikonoční trhy. During the Czech Republic supprussion under the communist regime, Velikonoční (Velikonoce - from Veliké noci, or Great Night), or Easter, was limited to the welcoming of springtime. Many traditions have picked back up since Prague Spring, especially in villages, but as it is back in the United States different regions have their own traditions and customs.

Easter Symbols and Traditions in the Czech Republic
Kraslice
Kraslice, or hand-painted egg, is the most recognizable symbol of Czech Easter. As I walk around the Velikonoční Trhy, or Easter Markets, I can see many sizes of every color of the rainbow sold at almost every stand. It is quite a sight to see! Traditionally Kraslice were decorated by girls to be given to boys on Pondělí velikonoční, or Easter Monday. There are many techniques that can be used and different materials such as bee's wax, straw, watercolors, onion peels, picture stickers.
Baby Animals
Having baby animals around is another Czech Easter Tradition. This was so at the Velikonoční Trhy, where they had a small stable with a baby lamb and bunny rabbits. Also, cery much like having lambs, bunny rabbits, and chickens in shapes of candy in the United States, the Czechs make the shapes in pernik, or gingerbread decorated with frosting. Pernik is probably my favorite Czech dessert, I have seen many more shapes then just baby animals. I have seen hearts, cell phones, little houses, eggs, and so much more. The smell of pernik and other delicous treats fills the air as you walk about the Velikonoční Trhy in Staroměstské Náměstí.
Pomlázka
Pomlázka, which is a braided whip made from pussywillow twigs, has been used for centuries by boys who go caroling (yes I said caroling, like at Christmas time in the United States) on Pondělí Velikonoční, or Easter Monday and symbolically whip girls on the legs. Who in turns rewards the boy with a painted egg, candy or liquor, and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka. Supposedly this is supposed to give health and youth to who ever is hit by it. Well I have seen many of these pomlázka being sold in the Velikonoční Trhy, and I thought it would quite hurt a bit if a girl got hit too many times on the legs with it, let alone give her health or youth. I would never put up with it, I especially wouldn't give them anything for hitting me as well!
Well after much discussion of this unusually Czech Tradition several of us girls decided we wouldn't put up with it. We do have several Czech friends who are guys, and I don't know how much they would get into the Easter spirit, but we have made up a plan. We bought some pussywillow branches (we found them last week at the openair markets) and we are going to weave them together and tie many ribbons on they. If any of our Czech friends get an idea in their head that they need to whip us on the legs, they will just get it right back! We'll just use the excuse that we are not Czech, and we don't have to put up with it. I'll post some pictures of us making them later this week.
Uhasit
Ok another Czech Easter tradition is uhasit, or douse, a girl with water, this is supposed to have the same affect as the pomlázka. Maybe I should find myself a water gun, I could definitely fight back if anyone gets it in their head to throw water on me. Unfortunantly, I have not seen any water guns, so maybe spray bottle will just have to do.
červený
The color červený, or red, and other bright colors symbolizes health, joy, happiness and new life that comes with the spring. I have noticed that most of the kraslice, have a bit of red on them, or are mostly red. I probably will be buying a red kraslice to take home as a suvenior (I will not be giving any boys an egg if they are going to hit me!).
Velikonoční Trhy
Velikonoční Trhy, or Easter Markets, I have already talked about in an earlier post. I have been to them many times since I have talked to them. It is very touristy, but you can see locals shopping as well (most likely for treats for their kids on Easter). I probably will go many more times since they are open through the end of next week!

Holy Week
Holy Week, which is the week before Easter, starts off with Flower Sunday (Palm or Passion Sunday). Flower Sunday is the day that revists the day that Christ entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. They read the Passion, the events that leads up to the death of Christ, and they usually give out palms. Here, as I said in my blog yesterday, they give out pussywillow branches instead (which is also used in the tradition of pomlázka).
Ugly Wednesday (also referred to Spy Wednesday), or Škaredá středa, children finish up school, which is a good idea because they need to spend some serious time on making Easter what it should be. This is the day that Judas betrayed Jesus by saying he would hand him over.
Green Thursday (Holy Thursday), or Zelený čtvrtek, every boy in the evening equips himself with a wooden rattle, or řehtačka, which is specially made for the purpose, the boys form a group and walk through the village, rattling their rattles vigorously so the noise can be heard from afar. The meaning of the rattling is to chase away Judas. This is the night that Jesus was in the garden and was handed over.
The same procedure repeats on Good Friday, orVelký pátek, which is the day that Jesus was crucified.
White Saturday (Holy Saturday), or Bílá sobota, boys don't just walk through the village rattling their wooden rattles, but stop at every house in the morning and rattle until they’re given money which they then split between themselves.

Neděle velikonoční a Pondělí velikonoční
Easter Sunday, or Neděle velikonoční, is a day of preparations for Easter Monday. Girls paint, color, and decorate eggs, if they haven’t done so before, and boys prepare their pomlázkas! Easter Monday, or Pondělí velikonoční, is a day off, the day of the pomlázka. Watch out boys! I won't put up with being hit!

Happy Easter! - Veselé Velikonoce!