Easter Monday Linked with Tradition of Soaking and Whipping Women

Bratislava, April 21 (TASR) - Easter Monday is the last day of Easter, and in Slovakia, this day is traditionally connected with the custom of bathing or soaking and 'whipping' girls and women with a sallow whip. The symbols of this day are water, green and eggs, which are received for the whipping. In the south-west of Slovakia, girls and women are soaked and whipped, whereas in the west they are only whipped, and in the east they are largely soaked by men. The whipping with a sallow is connected with the faith in the vital force of fertility and the soakings ensure health and beauty. These customs were completely different before the 1950s. At that time, the soaking and whipping started after midnight, or in the early morning hours. Groups of young men visited the houses, where adult girls lived. The girls gave them hard boiled eggs, cake, wine and spirit as the prize for the 'work' they had done. Young adults also received raw eggs, which were the symbol of fertility. Younger boys could go to soak and whip the girls before noon, and they received sweets, and, nowadays, money too. Married men also kept up this custom, but they visited only their relatives. As the boys got money for whipping and soaking, they organised a party on Monday evening, where the girls were also invited. Easter Monday is one of those days when relatives had an opportunity to visit each other. mf