The roots date back to pagan times, to Slavic rituals related to the arrival of spring and awakening nature to live. Water, as a symbol of purification and fertility, played a key role in these rituals. Pouring water was to ensure health, harvest and prosperity in the coming year.
Where did the Monday Monday in Poland come from?
The first written mention of the habit of pouring water on Easter Monday comes from the 15th-century Poznań. The church chronicles from this period warned the faithful against the exaggerated celebration of this ludic custom, which often turned into hooligan antics.
Śmigus and Dyngus, or two separate customs, one holiday
In the past, Śmigus and Dyngus constituted two separate customs, which over time merged into one holiday. Śmigus consisted of symbolic mutual wrap of willow vitules (symbolizing vitality and rebirth) and pouring water. Dyngus, on the other hand, was associated with walking around the houses and collecting gifts, most often eggs (symbol of a new life), from those who wanted to “buy” from Śmigus. This, seemingly, typically Polish tradition outside our country knows, hardly anyone knows, although as to whether this custom actually comes from Poland, there is no certainty. Some say that Lana Monday has the beginnings in Jerusalem, where the Jewish resurrection and the resurrection of Jews were chased away from the windows with water. The word itself was taken from the following language: Staroni -German, in which “dingnus”, “dingnis” meant “ransom”, and German (from “Schmacken”, or “beating”).
How is it celebrated on Monday in Poland?
Cieszyn – During the so -called “Deaths”, young men poured girls with water (often throwing them into the streams), and also gently “fucked up” (hit) with vitamins on their arms and legs. This was seen as a wish of health and prosperity. Interestingly, if one of the girls remained dry, she considered it an insult, because it meant that no bachelor was interested in her. Once, on Tuesday after Easter, the girls had a chance for a rematch, but this custom disappeared.
Kashubia. In Kashubia, Lana Monday was not celebrated in the form of watering with water. Instead, the custom of bathing in the lake or river was practiced, which was to protect against diseases, especially the skin. On the road to the water and there was a ban on a conversation and looking back. To this day, the custom of “Dëgùsë” is cultivated there, consisting in avoiding girls and young married women with rods from juniper or Brzezina, the so -called “Dëgówki”.
Wieliczka. In the vicinity of Wieliczka, there is an unusual custom related to the legend of Siudej Baba, who was guarding the fire in the pagan temple. Men dress up after Siuda Baba – with a blackened face, in a torn clothing, with a string of chestnut beads or potatoes hung around the neck, with a hungry whip in hand and with a basket on the back – and walk around the houses, lubricating the soot and hands of the inhabitants.
Okay (Lesser Poland). In the village of Dobra in Lesser Poland preceding the Lana Monday, the streets stroll the “propeller Dziady”. These are strange mascara – wrapped in straw, with a mask or stocking on the face – which they die into a tin corner and sinking ominous, asking for donations and pouring water. This custom commemorates the fugitive prisoners of prisoners, whom the Tatars cut off the languages, and who sought help in good and, to protect themselves from the cold, wrapped up with hay.
Lany Monday today
Today, Lany Monday is primarily a day of carefree fun and water scouts. Children and youth (but not only) armed with water pistols, balloons with water and buckets, they organize battles on the streets, in parks and in the courtyards. Outdoor events and festivities are also increasingly organized, during which watering with water becomes the main attraction. Unfortunately, more and more often instead of symbolic watering with water, aggressive attacks and hooligan antics often occur. It is important to remember about respect for others and keep moderation in fun. Putting random people can also end up with a fine of up to PLN 500.
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