First - it's not on Easter Sunday, it's on Easter Monday - and you can expect people to come to your home and whip you...
Second, they sing... combining number one and number two is a story I heard yesterday -a girl new to the country was staying at her boyfriend's family's home a while ago, and was sound asleep when her boyfriend's cousin came in to her room, pulled her blankets back, and started whipping her and singing her a little song. That's how she woke up. To a stranger beating her and singing a little ditty in a language she didn't yet know. And when he stopped he waited for his treat. Yes, after this sort of abuse you are to reward them with decorated eggs or chocolates or some such nonsense.
Third - the boys throw water, not the girls. Not only do you get beaten but if they like you, then expect to get drenched too.
Fourth - as a woman you start preparing for this in advance. There was talk last night of giant egg decorating parties, how many eggs to give to each man, the best way to decorate, etc... I don't know why but it sounded as though there was some social stigma attached to not having a ton of eggs for every potential beater.
There isn't an age limit - children and grandmothers alike.
Finally - it ends at noon. Supposedly. There aren't any real repercussions for whipping a girl after that time, but supposedly it ends at noon. We'll be unavailable to the good citizens of the Czech Republic until after that time.
1 comment:
I didnt like the sound of it either, but they see it as a bit of harmless fun. To my knowledge, nobody should beat anyone literally, just tap them on the bum. My theory is that it is related to fertility, as the beating is supposed to make you healthy, perhaps this is where it has its origins.
I have called it sexist, kinky and allsorts. I think the person getting smacked ought to get the eggs. But they seem to love it here. I think it is pretty harmless for kids, so long as they are not hitting anybody hard. Adults, it just seems very odd to me, but life here is very different. I stayed downstairs till the smackers buggered off. I have suggested resurrecting the water throwing. It is a funny old world.
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