Unusual Easter celebrations around the world to see when traveling with TEFL
Ah, the joys of traveling with TEFL. Whether it’s the aged century eggs of China, overloading scooters in Vietnam, or munching on insects in Thailand, there are plenty of cultural nuances around the globe to shock and startle. Easter time is no different, just as these five unusual happenings reveal…
Smigus-Dyngus Day, Poland
Any female TEFL teachers working in Poland might want to watch their backs as they stroll through the cobbled streets of Krakow, Warsaw or Gdansk this Easter Monday. That’s because of the tradition of Smigus-Dyngus, which sees groups of men dousing unsuspecting ladies with buckets of water. The reason? Well, it’s supposed to express affection. If you don’t see it quite like that, don’t worry – come Tuesday, it’s the boys’ turn to be watered down by the ladies! Smigus-Dyngus is a popular folksy custom still carried out across all of eastern Europe, from Slovakia to Ukraine.
Explosions on the cart in Florence, Italy
While most of us might associate Easter will chocolate eggs and family outings, the people of Florence in the very heart of Italian Tuscany have a whole other idea: Pyrotechnics. Yep, an old custom in this grand Renaissance city is to load up a wooden cart with oodles of fireworks and fuses and proceed to rumble it over the cobbled streets to the beautiful Duomo in the heart of the town. Then, a few religious sermons later, the whole thing is lit up and the fireworks screech out to the four corners of the piazza. It sure promises to be one of the more explosive spring celebrations you can see while traveling with TEFL.
Re-enactment plays in Indonesia
The curious tradition of Passion Plays (performances that recount the last days of Christ’s life) isn’t just unique to Indonesia – they are now commonplace right across the globe, from Bavaria to Guatemala. However, it’s perhaps the archipelago nation of Southeast Asia that takes the biscuit for the most elaborate of the lot. So, if you happen to be traveling with TEFL around springtime here, don’t be too surprised if you see folks wearing thorny crowns and carrying hefty crosses. It’s especially common around the island of Flores, but the practice takes place all over the otherwise largely Muslim country.
Murder mysteries in Norway
While the rest of us are out hunting for tasty eggs in the garden, the people of Norway are shut up indoors, trying to unravel the secrets of another murder mystery. Such is the tradition of Easter in this perennially-happy Scandinavian country. The idea is that the whole family gets together and watches enthralling whodunnit programs, or even play traditional murder mysteries in full character and dress. If you happen to be traveling with TEFL in Norway in the run up to the Easter holidays, be sure to buy a milk carton or two – there’s even little crimes to solve printed on the back!
Halloween in Finland
There might be just a little confusion concerning dates in Finland when it comes to Easter. Here, when the spring comes, children dress up as witches and wizards and demand chocolate and treats as they go from door to door. And if that rings a bell, it’s probably because the Finnish practice is just like Halloween everywhere else in the world. There is a twist to the tale though: each piece of candy should be reciprocated with a decorated willow branch. You know, to ensure good fortune for the year to come…
There are loads more weird and wonderful Easter traditions around the globe to see when you’re traveling with TEFL. If you’ve witnessed any, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Or, if you think it’s high time you started traveling with TEFL and experiencing the globe’s cultural nuances, be sure to check out our range of courses. Happy Easter!