Easter in Slovakia

Even though it's lent now, I decided to tell children about Easter in Slovakia before leaving back home. Flore's Class 1, 2 even created their own 'whips made of twigs (korbáče)' from pipe cleaners. They really enjoyed it, especially boys, why? Read here and if you prefer to see the video of Easter Monday in Slovakia, click here:

IF THERE is a Slovak custom which is guaranteed to give a translator a headache, it’s the šibačka.

Do you know why? Well, What do you call it when a bunch of boys take their whips made of twigs (korbáče), and go door-to-door beating-up ladies, and then getting coloured blown-out eggs (kraslice) in return?

And then there are these chants :

Wacky-wimpy, give no fishy, there’s just one thing that I beg, a wonderful Easter egg.

(Šibi, ribi, nechcem ryby, ja chcem iba máličko, veľkonočné vajíčko).

An alternative to the whipping is the oblievačka – the pouring.

Easter

Easter is the most significant Christian holiday.

Christians begin Easter celebration on Holy Thursday. Good Friday is a state holiday in Slovakia. On Good Friday, Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. Then on Easter Sunday then celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; however, not only Christians celebrate Easter.

“Oblievacka” (water pouring) and sibacka (the whipping) are typical Easter Monday customs in Slovakia. The character of oblievacka slightly varies from region to region. On this day boys and men visit their female relatives and friends and pour water on them, and whip them gently with special whips made of braided willow rods (korbáče).

According to tradition, pouring water on women will guarantee their beauty and good health throughout the year.

Recently oblievacka (water pouring) and sibacka (whipping) have not been as intense as they used to be in the past decades. However, in some villages you may still see young men, dressed in traditional folk costumes, who come with rattles and braided whips decorated with colorful ribbons. They may take females out of the houses and douse them with buckets filled with cold water. During this tradition men may sing songs and play the accordion.

After oblievacka and sibacka, women reward men with sweets, fruit, few coins, or painted Easter eggs. Easter eggs or kraslice are quite popular in Slovak tradition. Kraslice are painted, dyed, or otherwise decorated blown eggs.