Has anyone told you yet that you need to be very, very careful on the Monday after Easter in Poland? Well, it’s true! There could be a bucket of water, or heavy-loaded water-gun lurking around every, and any, corner!

What in the world is Śmigus-Dyngus?

Back in the 1300’s, maybe even much earlier than this, a tradition of drenching women in water and hitting them with traditional Easter plants (think pussy willows) was born. And while it sounds terrible, and probably it was, most back then thought of it as a way for a man to show a woman affection. Essentially picking on her as a form of flirting. And believe it or not,  it actually was a precursor to many people’s marriages back then.

@emilysguidetokrakow

Never assume you can outsmart someone on Smigus-Dyngus. Someone is always waiting around the corner! Gone are the days when they’d throw women in the river! We’ve got an equal chance to fight but we need to make sure we’re prepared! Happy Śmigus-Dyngus everyone aka the day after Easter in Poland when everyone throws water on each other! #Krakow #poland #travel #polishtradition #smigusdyngus

♬ Water Balloon Fight – K.O.R.E.

Culture.PL writes, “As it turns out, Śmigus and Dyngus were originally two separate customs. There are many different ideas, however, of what they looked like and exactly where they came from. Most commonly, Śmigus was known to involve the symbolic whacking of people’s legs with palm fronds or willows and drenching them in cold water. This was meant to cleanse them of dirt and diseases, and later of sin.

Dyngus, however, was supposedly a chance to save yourself from being drenched a second time by bribing the ‘drencher’ with a decorated egg. Another idea is associated with ancient Slavic wandering practices – people went around visiting relatives and friends, sharing refreshments and joy. Processions of boys stomped through villages, going door to door, reciting poems and demanding gifts.

Yet another idea suggests that Śmigus was the time for whacking willows, while Dyngus was the time for throwing water. While others believe the custom is related to the Baptism of Poland, the personal baptism of Mieszko I, the first ruler of the future Polish state, along with much of his court.”

Do I really need to watch out on Easter Monday for random buckets of water? 

Actually, yes. This is a pretty big holiday. And of course teenagers LOVE it. So don’t be surprised if you suddenly get hit with a stream of water from one hiding in a window somewhere. It can happen at any time. The best way to be prepared, is of course, to come with your own water-filled gun.