Easter in Podhale is a time of rich traditions and customs deeply rooted in the highlander culture.
1. Blessing of the Easter basket.
In Podhale, as in all of Poland, food is blessed on Holy Saturday. The highland Easter basket typically contains:
eggs – symbolizing life and resurrection,
sausage – a sign of abundance and the end of Lent,
oscypek or bundz – traditional regional cheeses,
bread – the staple food, symbol of Christ’s body,
salt – purification and protection,
horseradish – strength and health,
a lamb – usually made of butter or sugar, symbolizing Christ,
Yeast cake – e.g., babka, a symbol of hospitality and joy.
The baskets are decorated with white embroidered cloths and green boxwood twigs.
2. Traditional highlander clothing.
For the Resurrection Mass (held early on Easter Sunday), many people in Podhale wear traditional Górale outfits, as an expression of cultural pride and respect for tradition.
3. Resurrection Mass with a highlander band.
Easter processions are often accompanied by highlander folk bands playing religious melodies in the distinctive Podhale style.
4. Śmigus-Dyngus.
Easter Monday is a time of Śmigus-Dyngus, which is very lively in Podhale. Young people splash each other with water – sometimes by the bucketful! In some villages, the tradition of “walking for Dyngus” is still alive – boys visit homes and sprinkle girls with water, symbolizing good fortune in love.
5. Easter feasting.
The Easter breakfast in Podhale is a real feast! Tables are full of homemade cold cuts, moskole (potato pancakes), eggs in various forms, horseradish, butter or sugar lambs, cheese, and yeast cakes.
6. Easter wishes in highlander dialect.
Easter wouldn’t be complete without well-wishes in the Podhale dialect, often in the form of short rhymes or sung greetings. For example:
As the whole world celebrates and the bells are ringing, May your working and festive days multiply in health and happiness. May the Risen Lord Jesus bless you, and may your Śmigus-Dyngus be wet, but joyful!