The Strange Slovak Traditions You Need to Know About

It is true that traditions are more closely bound to the rural areas of Slovakia, so if you would like to experience them authentically, it’s best that you plan a few day trips out of the big cities such as Bratislava or Kosice. Most of the Slovak customs are also following the Christian calendar, so Easter or Christmas are the best times to see what the country can offer custom-wise.

Easter is the true pride of Slovak folklore. The Christian tradition joined the pagan one of welcoming the spring, and a wonderful mix was born. Nowadays, the biggest celebration during Easter falls on Easter Monday, which is traditionally the day of šibačka (whipping) and polievačka (water pouring). From early in the morning, young boys, carrying their handmade birch rod whips, decorated with ribbons, go from door to door, gently whipping all the girls and pouring water over them. It is supposed to bring them health and prosperity, and so the girls offer them coloured hard boiled eggs and sweets in return. Easter Monday is truly one of the bizzarest traditions in Slovakia, and a truly wonderful story to tell all foreigners. While seemingly violent, it is actually a celebration of a lot of joy and happiness for the young people.

May Day is yet another example of a typical Slovak custom. Since it is the month of love, young boys would erect maypoles, decorated with colourful ribbons, for the girls they wished to court. The point was to erect the tallest pole, usually in the middle of the town square, and it is a tradition which can still be observed all over the country.

Closer to Christmas time, St. Nicolas is a figure which is very typical to the country. Kids would be expected to clean their winter boots the night before the 6th December, and put them outside of their door, so that Nicolas can fill them with the gifts they deserve. Usually, they would get chocolates and oranges, but if the child was naughty that year, it would get coals and potatoes.

Similarly, Christmas itself is very specific in Slovakia. People usually eat a type of fish for Christmas dinner, and they buy it alive around a week before. Then the fish is kept in the bathtub, until the time comes for the head of the family to kill it and cook it. This tradition is one of the favourite one for children, since they get a new house pet to play with for a while.

There are many other strange customs in the country, many of them smaller and regional, and even more odd. Slovakia has carved out its identity, and it is unlike any of its neighbours. The local folklore continues to be the pride of every Slovak. If you wish to discover the true authentic slovakness, come and experience it on your own.