czech traditions

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 In the Czech Republic, Easter, or "Velikonoce," is celebrated with traditions like decorating eggs, the "Pomlázka" custom of symbolic whipping with a decorated willow branch, and enjoying Easter bread called "Mazanec.

 Easter Egg Decoration (Kraslice):

Families decorate eggs, or "kraslice," with intricate designs using stickers, dyeing, and various waxing methods.  These eggs are often given as gifts or enjoyed for breakfast.   Some families use traditional techniques like boiling eggs in onion skin broth.  

Pomlázka (Easter Whip):

On Easter Monday, boys and men visit houses and sprinkle water on women and girls. They carry a decorated willow branch called "pomlázka" or "karabáč" (in Czech).  The pomlázka is used for a symbolic "whipping" (not meant to be painful) of women's bottoms, believed to bring health and beauty. After the "whipping," women are given painted eggs and shots of alcoholic drinks; children are given chocolate treats. 

Mazanec (Easter Bread):

Mazanec, a sweet bread, is a symbol of the sun and is made from the same dough as the traditional Christmas bread (vánočka). Traditionally, it was a savory pastry made with grated cheese and eggs. 

Other Traditions:

In some villages, men and women dress in traditional rural costumes and march in a colorful procession. 

Red is a commonly worn color during Easter, symbolizing joy, health, happiness, and new life. Many types including Bohemian and Moravian. 

Bohemian is a traditional style of music from the historical region of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. It has several characteristics, including: Vocal style, Instrument combinations, Song structure and Melody.

Moravian is known for the cimbalom, which is played in ensembles that also include double bass, clarinet and violins. The traditional music of Moravia displays regional influences, especially in Valachia with a Romanian and Ukrainian legacy, and has close cultural relations with Slovakia and Lachia with its Polish aspects.

Ash Wednesday is the first Wednesday after Masopust and it’s the first day of the Lent period. Let’s see what the Czechs used to do (and some still do) on this day. First things first, the Ash Wednesday (Popeleční středa) is sometimes incorrectly called Ugly Wednesday(Škaredá středa) and vice versa. However, these are two different days, while the Ugly Wednesday is a part of the Easter week, the Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lent period right after Masopust and before Easter

According to the 11th century custom, a priest makes a cross with ashes (popelec) on people’s foreheads on the first day of the Lent, this is where the name of the day comes from. This cross is supposed to remind people of the transience of the earthly life. The ashes used in this ritual was made from last year’s catkins that were given a blessing and then burnt. The cross was made during a mass that was quiet and the image on the main icon was covered with the so called hunger cloth of purple color. After the mass, men sometimes went to the pub to “wash down the popelec“. People also had their first Lent meal, usually vegetables such as pučálka.

 This was the beginning of the long period of restrain not only from meat when people slowed down in every aspect of their lives and patiently awaited the coming of spring and Easter. But first, there are six Lent Sundays to come. 

Many types including Bohemian and Moravian. 

Bohemian is a traditional style of music from the historical region of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic. It has several characteristics, including: Vocal style, Instrument combinations, Song structure and Melody.

Moravian is known for the cimbalom, which is played in ensembles that also include double bass, clarinet and violins. The traditional music of Moravia displays regional influences, especially in Valachia with a Romanian and Ukrainian legacy, and has close cultural relations with Slovakia and Lachia with its Polish aspects.