Did you know that witches and trick or treating are part of Scandinavian Easter traditions, which are still celebrated in parts of Sweden and other Scandinavian countries? On the Saturday or Thursday before Easter, young children dress up as witches or Påskkärringar (the kindly, apple-cheeked, headscarf wearing kind, similar to Italy's La Befana, the Christmas Witch and go door-to-door asking for candy or other treats. How neat is it to have Halloween-like traditions in springtime?!
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| La Bafana |
This tradition stems from the old belief that witches were a their most powerful during Easter week and that they would travel to Blåkulla (Blue Mountain) via broom to cavort with the devil on Maundy Thursday through Saturday.
To honor this old belief, Scandinavian children dress up as witches and go trick-or-treating, like Halloween! In some parts of Scandinavia children leave Easter cards or a small token of thanks to the houses they visit. Many of these cards feature images of påskkärringar, or Easter witches.
I love how you can find traditions similar to Halloween throughout the year for many different holidays. I love the Scandinavian tradition of Easter witches and it is fun to learn about different holiday traditions from around the world that relate to Halloween.
These witches don't look quite like our Halloween witches -- no peaked hats or black capes. Instead, these little witches are often depicted with a coffee pot, broom and a cat like the Easter witch ornament below.
This Easter witch ornament resembles Baba Yaga (photo below) straight out of a Russian fairy tale, with headscarves, kerchiefs, aprons, and rosy cheeks.
I love this image by one of my favorite illustrators, Inge Look, and her version of Easter Witches.
Glad påsk (Happy Easter)!
interesting to read this.... these look like good witches and not scary ones..... thanks for your comment on my blog... it came through as a no-reply so I couldn't respond but I do appreciate it...
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