Śmigus-dyngus

Common card · No. 290327

Śmigus-dyngus (Polish pronunciation: [ˈɕmigus ˈdɨnɡus]) or lany poniedziałek (Polish pronunciation: [ˈlanɨ ˌpɔɲɛˈd͡ʑawɛk]) is a celebration held on Easter Monday across Central Europe, and in small parts of Eastern and Southern Europe. The Eastertide tradition is widely associated with Poland in English-speaking countries and is observed by Polish diaspora communities, particularly among Polish Americans who call it Dyngus Day. Customs surrounding Śmigus-dyngus celebrate the arrival of Christianity in Poland. A similar tradition also exists among Hungarians, the Easter sprinkling called locsolkodás (sprinkling) and in Slovakia, called oblievačka (the pouring). On Śmigus-dyngus, Polish families traditionally visit or call relatives, gifting them Paschal eggs. Mass has historically been well attended by Christians on Śmigus-dyngus. People douse each other in water; in particular, boys throw water over girls on Easter Monday. This is symbolic of the "cleansing of one from sins and marking...

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