Korbac for Whipping DayIn the Slovak and Czech Republics, on Easter Monday (the day after Easter), boys from the village would pour water over the girls and the boys would also whip the girls with whips (korbac) made from willow branches. If the girls want to stay beautiful, healthy and full of life through the year, they would have to gracefully accept the water soakings and whippings.
It is believed that by whipping the girls with willow braches, all the fertility and life giving powers from the tree would be transfered to the girl. Meanwhile, the water was supposed to bring health and beauty. The girls would also tie a ribbon to the end of the whip.
In return for whipping and soaking the girls, the boys would also receive treats from the girls. The gifts from the girls would include painted eggs, which symbolize fertility, sweets, cakes, and glasses of local schnapps.
I'd never heard of this tradition before; it's very interesting. There is a festival in India that is held around the same time called Holi. As with the Korbac Whipping Day, Holi celebrants throw water at each other, and follow it up by eating sweets. However, there's no whipping involved and the gender roles are less clearly defined. Color is also a more important factor, since dyed powder is thrown in addition to water. Still, there are enough similarities to make me wonder if the traditions have a shared origin.
ReplyDeleteI was told the Slovak version was related to a Pagan spring/fertility ritual, but I haven't researched it's origins. That is interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlrighty folks, for those of your who missed class on Friday - here's a link to the Art:21 episode on spirituality. http://www.pbs.org/art21/series/seasonone/spirituality.html
ReplyDeleteYou can watch all of the episodes from all of the seasons on PBS's website, so that's pretty delightful.