In this two-minute read, we look at the weird and wonderful ways people around the globe celebrate Easter.
We Brits have Easter egg hunts, hot cross buns, and Morris dancing, but read on to find out how people in other parts of the world celebrate Easter.
Spooky skeletons in Spain
Visit the medieval village of Verges on Maundy Thursday, and you might think it’s Halloween. Every year at midnight, the locals partake in the bone-chilling La Dansa de la Mort (dance of death). In flickering candlelight, people in skeleton costumes parade through the streets carrying scythes, ashes, and clocks. The procession symbolises the fleeting nature of life and the final judgement.
Flying high in Bermuda
Bermudians celebrate Good Friday with a kite festival on Horseshoe Bay Beach’s idyllic shores. Many people make their own kites, using colourful paper, ribbons, and sticks, in a tradition started by a local teacher. He apparently flew a kite bearing the image of Jesus to demonstrate the Ascension of Christ and others quickly followed suit.
Water and wine in Hungary
Hungarians traditionally enjoy “sprinkling” on Easter Monday. This custom involves men going door to door with buckets of water, seeking permission to “sprinkle” the house’s female occupants. If a woman accepts the request, cold water – which supposedly bolsters fertility – is poured on her. In return, the sprinkler receives painted eggs and alcoholic beverages.
Passion play in the Philippines
A dramatic recreation of the last days of Christ (otherwise known as a passion play) takes place every year in San Pedro Cutud, north of Manila. Here, locals take things very seriously, with the play culminating in about a dozen people – or penitents – being hammered to crosses with stainless steel nails. Others cleanse their sins by hitting themselves with bamboo sticks.
Feasting in France
Every Easter, a group of chefs known as the Knights of the Giant Omelette (we’re not making this up, we promise) gather in the town square of Bessières near Toulouse. They crack 15,000 eggs which then go into an enormous pan sitting on an open fire. Using wooden spoons the size of tree trunks, the Knights make the biggest omelette you’ve ever seen and share it with the hungry crowd.
From all of us here at IMS, enjoy the Easter break. Stay safe and take care.
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