Easter is here and I am celebrating in the midst of a full weekend of football, and etc. but I’ve also enjoyed a 5 day weekend off from school and learning Czech that I am on the end of. However, there are some traditions that others are anticipating as Easter, or Velikonoce (Roughly translated as big or great, or big, night, which is in reference to Jesus’ big night of the resurrection. Interesting, in the midst of arguably one of the most atheistic countries in the world.), approaches. Some seem somewhat traditional to myself, as a American, and some will forever puzzle me a little. I need to remember the Crusade adage I’ve heard again and again being overseas, “It’s not work, it’s just different!” That might be up to debate a little bit, but here we go…
I’m only going to hit on the tradition I find most interesting (if you desire to read more, click HERE), and/or slightly confusing for me. It is called the pomlazka. Which is pretty much the opposite of an “ugly stick”! Have I got your attention yet? The pomlazka is braided whip of sorts that Czech men use to “tap” the women on the rear on the Monday morning after Easter Sunday. I have been told, and/or read, that this is why Czech women are so beautiful, because the pomlazka is said to bring beauty and fertility. (I find the fertility one interesting, because the birth rate is way low here, but that doesn’t mean a lack of fertility.) Yes you read that right and NO I’m not making this up. Here is a bit more about it from myczechrepublic.com:
The origin of the pomlazka tradition (pomlazka meaning both the whip and the tradition itself) dates back to pagan times. Its original purpose and symbolic meaning is to chase away illness and bad spirits and to bring health and youth for the rest of the year to everyone who is whipped with the young pussywillow twigs. Boys would whip girls lightly on the legs and possibly douse them with water, which had a similar symbolic meaning. An Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two, would be recited by the boy while whipping. The girl would then reward the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlazka. As the boys progressed through the village, their bags filled up with eggs and their pomlázkas were adorned with more and more colorful ribbons.
So tomorrow, women beware as clans of men looking for chocolate, painted eggs or alcohol will be roaming the streets of the Czech Republic with their pomlazkas in hand. It is interesting living here and seeing how many of their traditions date back before the arrival of Christianity and definitely have a hint of paganism to them. It just confirms the Czech ability to endure what ever “outside” force or entity arrives on Czech soil with a resilience that is amazing. Even when that “outside force” is a positive thing – i.e. Christianity. Anyway…
With that being said, I do wish you a beautiful Easter, or Resurrection Day, or Velikonoce! Praise God that in the midst of pain, darkness, confusion, ugliness, hate, sacrifice, and more that He brought the most beautiful thing and event of all time – The Resurrection of His Son, Jesus the Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, who sold out for His Bride the Church and then beat down death! Praise God, HE IS ALIVE!