witches
These Easter traditions exist in other countries
In Spain, people disguise themselves and parade through the streets.
© Stefano Politi Markovina/Shutterstock.com
In Germany, colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies are traditionally part of Easter. In other countries, however, there are completely different customs.
In Germany, colorful eggs, chocolate and a cake in the shape of a lamb belong to Easter. In other countries, however, there are completely different traditions to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From papier-mâché figures to witches to masks: these customs exist.
This is celebrated at Easter
The so-called Holy Week began this year on April 2nd with Palm Sunday. There are several feast days during the week: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Easter Sunday is the climax and this year falls on April 9th. On this day, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That is why Easter is also the most important holiday in Christianity. Easter Monday is also a public holiday in Germany. In this country, the custom has emerged that the Easter bunny hides colored eggs and sweets for the children. In some regions, food is also blessed during the Easter service – bread, ham, eggs and a baked Easter lamb, among other things, traditionally end up in the basket.
Weird custom in Spain
Easter is also celebrated in Spain. Holy Week, called Semana Santa, is celebrated with processions. The participants parade through the streets in their hundreds, masked up. The penitent’s robe consists of a long habit, a hood covers the face. On Palm Sunday, palm fronds made by children are blessed in many places.
On Good Friday the main procession takes place, which is meant to commemorate the Stations of the Cross of Jesus Christ. As in Germany, Easter Sunday is the high point of the holiday – the family comes together and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. However, in some regions people also burn a straw doll in memory of the betrayer Judas. In Spain there are no Easter bunnies or colorful Easter eggs, but there are other sweets – such as the “Mona de Pascua” pastry.
The witches in Finland
In Finland, there are customs that are more reminiscent of Halloween than Easter. Small children dress up as witches and go from door to door. In brightly colored clothes and with painted freckles, the children ask for chocolate and recite a traditional saying. They have a willow branch with them, which is decorated with feathers and ribbons.
This tradition goes back to the long-held belief in Finland that witches roam the country between Good Friday and Easter Monday, bringing mischief with them. That’s why Easter bonfires were lit, to this day, to drive away the witches. A typical dish for Easter is “Mämmi”. It is a brown porridge made from water, malt and rye flour.
Dolls in Mexico
There are no colorful Easter eggs in Mexico, instead they celebrate for two weeks. Colorful processions take place all over the country, these are supposed to represent the passion of Jesus Christ. There are also a number of services on the schedule – on Maundy Thursday it is customary to visit seven churches. On Good Friday, Passion Plays take place across the country, and visitors can marvel at the largest Easter procession in the capital, Mexico City.
During the celebrations, the streets in many towns are decorated with colorful garlands. The traditional pinatas, papier-mâché figures, are hung up. These are usually filled with sweets. Children are blindfolded and given a stick – they have to hit the figures to get the goodies. A traditional dish during Easter is “Capirotada”, which is a bread casserole with dried fruits and nuts.