Most Christian holidays have pagan roots and traditions, and Easter is no exception. In Sweden, it is said that this is the time of year that witches mounted their broomsticks and flew off to Blockulla – the mystical meadow where witches gathered to dance with the devil.
Yes, the right spelling is Blåkulla which can be translated to Blue Hill. So the girls you see in that picture is "copies" of the witches.
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This piece of folklore is commemorated in Sweden on Maundy Thursday, or Scarlett Thursday – the Thursday before Easter Sunday, a day in which the Church marks the Last Supper at which Jesus Christ was betrayed by one of the Apostles. In a tradition similar to Halloween, Swedish children paint their faces and dress as witches (påskkärringar, or ‘Easter hags’). They go from door to door, carrying their broomsticks, to ask for candy and other treats. In some areas, the children make little decorated cards, called Easter letters, that they trade for their treats or leave in the neighbor’s mailbox.
Scarlett Thursday is a word to word translation but may be the wrong meaning. Noone is really sure why it is called "Skärtorsdag", some say it has something to do with cleaning the feet of the apostles - then it would be "Clean Thursday". While some say it can be from the Sir cult and then has a uncertain meaning.
The kids here do not walk with broomsticks but old coffee kettles or baskets to collect candy and money from the neighbours. Forget that my mum and her maid once let me out asking for candy dressed like one of the girls in the pic. I was only 5 years old but felt awfully silly and went home after visiiting the house next to us. Hopefully nobody saw me.
It is also a custom to light bonfires or even set off fireworks in some regions of Sweden on that day – perhaps to ward off the evil influences of the Easter witches on their journey to Blockulla.
In my teens this with fireworks was a great happening. This together with party and alcohol made the police come our way several times. We used to throw China shots and Witch pipes toward each other - dangerous and fun.
Swedes also color Easter eggs, and enjoy a big feast on the Saturday before Easter (Easter Eve), typically including lamb and egg dishes to celebrate rebirth and the fertility of Spring.[/i]
It is right about the colored eggs but forget about the lamb, that must be local. Swedes eat a kind of Smorgasboard at Christmas and Easter that is much the same. At christmas there is roasted ham which is not used at easter but all the other ingredients are the same as pickled herring, meatballs, boiled potatoes, small sausages, tarts or omelettes, eegs, many sorts of cheese and bread constitute the principal dish both at Christmas and Easter. If traditional one drinks root beer to this, preferable with juniper berry as a main ingredient and then snaps of course.
Almost everone get some willow branches from birch and decorate them with feathers and put in their homes. That is colorful and nice.
