Ester
Now it´s Easter holidays for all children and it's time for another Swedish tradition - Ester.
It is a Christian tradition that commemorates Jesus' death, suffering and resurrection.
Easter egg (Påskkärring) is in accordance with Swedish old belief a witch who traditionally flies on her broom to Blåkulla on Maundy Thursday (Skärtorsdagen, yesterday).
Nowadays, it is both boys and girls who dress up as Easter witches. A Påskkärring carrying usually dress, apron and kerchief. Children walk around together, and ring the bell, at people's houses. They give the person who opens the door a small Ester letter that they have drawn themselves, and as thank they hopefully get some candy.
Spring is a time of rebirth. This is celebrated in most cultures through various fertility rituals. Egg symbolizes rebirth and fertility. In the West, eggs belong to traditional Ester food. This is because these chickens, genetically and with little access to food, had residence in egg production during the winter. Production got under way about just in time for Lent, but since you did not eat eggs during Lent that created an excess of eggs to Easter.
In some families they organized small games where the Easter eggs are hidden and the children can look for them in the belief that the Easter Bunny hid Easter eggs. The eggs are made of paper and filled with candy – this tradition takes place on Easter Eve with your relatives/friends when you meet to socialize and to eat a lot of good food together.
That is two of the many things that we Swedes usually do during Easter. Now we in S.U.S.H.I wish you a very Happy Easter!
