Easter in Cetoraz -Pavel Jareš

April 8, 2012
Pavel Jares from Cetoraz, Czech Republic sends this explanation of Czech customs during Easter.

Easter customs are the same for centuries in Czech.

 There are numbered Easter symbols in the attached picture:

1^st Beránek (Lamb-cake) ... it reminds lambs that Israelis had sacrificed before leaving Egypt

2^nd Pomlázka ... ,,cat" from willow branches.  Boys twist pomlázku from new flexible willow branches. They use it to whip girls very gently to keep them healthy and strong.  Whipped girls give to boys decorated eggs as a symbol of a new life.

3^rd Decorated eggs

4^th Easter mazanec ... cake from flour, eggs, sugar, raisins and almonds

5^th Sweets

6^th Easter hlavička (stuffing) ... baked dough from eggs, rolls, semolina, smoked pork and new nettles

7^th Chiks.... symbol of spring

8^th Easter řehtačka (ratchet) ... „ a musical instrument" which is used instead on church bells during Easter. Bells fly to Rome on green Thursday and kids make noise with ratchets to call people to prayers. The bells come back on Saturday night.