In the Czech Republic: Whipping tradition
The Czech whipping tradition known as pomlázka takes places on Easter Monday. Men will visit women – usually family members or friends – and tap them with “whips” made from braided willow branches wrapped with colourful ribbons. Although not intended to be painful, the tradition is said to bring the women vitality and fertility, which is symbolically transferred through the branches of the willow tree as it’s the first tree to bloom in the spring. In exchange men get painted eggs or chocolate and for those of age, an alcoholic shot for the road.
In Bermuda: Kite flying
The sky’s the limit during Easter in Bermuda. To celebrate the holiday, Bermudians gather to fly homemade kites made using wooden sticks and decorative tissue paper, with the bright geometric designs in the sky symbolising the resurrection of Jesus. This tradition is paired with a feast of codfish, hot cross buns and sunrise services on the beach. According to a legend, a Bermudian teacher flew a kite as a way to illustrate the ascension of Jesus into heaven.
In Portugal: Easter almonds
In Portugal, people gift each other almonds also known as amêndoas for Easter. The tasty treats come in all colours and coating such as hard candy, chocolate or caramelised sugar, giving you that extra crunch when you bite into it. It’s tradition for godchildren to give their godparents a stalk on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) and for godparents to give almonds in return on Easter Sunday. The egg-shaped almonds are said to represent the beginning of life and the spring season.
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