Wacky Wicked Ways The World Celebrates Spring
India’s Holi Festival
Spring is officially here. Yes, if you're reading this (and happen to be in the Northern Hemisphere), then you too must be gazing in delight at the blue sky outside and those daffodils you see on every roundabout known to man. Winter has finally buggered off. Whoever said Christmas was the most wonderful time of year clearly hasn't experienced running down a large hill in Gloucester, chasing a giant cheese. Because for some reason, that qualifies as quality springtime entertainment here in the UK.
But not just the UK. Around the world, people celebrate Spring with whacky traditions, crazy ideas and downright bizarre activities.
England - Cheese Rolling Festival
No, I wasn't kidding. If you've ever been tucking into some cheese and crackers and thought, God I wish I could chase a huge wheel of this down a steep hill. If so, you're not alone. During a Spring Bank Holiday, venture on down to Cooper's Hill in Gloucester where other like-minded people with cheese on the brain gather for the cheese rolling. Don't be fooled by the fun name, this activity is actually very dangerous. A huge wheel of cheese is thrown down a very very steep hill. A second later, willing competitors hurl themselves down the hill after it, a fierce desire for cheese-themed glory in their hearts. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins, like a cheese related Total Wipeout. Because of the steepness of the hill, injuries like broken bones, bruises and bloodied limbs are commonplace. While this may put a grim tone on the Springtime 200-year-old tradition, it's also great fun! If you're a bit of a daredevil and a cheese/spring enthusiast, this is the activity for you.
Poland - Marzanna Dolls
If you want to take your frustration out on some sort of personification of Winter, maybe you should travel to Poland for the beginning of Spring. There is an old tradition, dating from the 16th century which is the drowning or burning of a Marzanna doll (or Topienie Marzanny). Marzanna was a Slavic goddess who had the unfortunate representation of death, winter, and disease. So pretty much not a nice gal. A bit of a downer of the deity world.
In Poland, a figure is braided from straw into the shape of Marzanna and dressed in traditional Polish women's clothes. The dolls are then paraded through the streets as crowds make their way to the river, in which they toss the doll into. This is supposed to symbolise the end of winter's wrath. While now more of a fun filled activity for kids, there is no reason why you can't unleash your own wrath on a doll you've made. The Spring deity inside of you demands it, after all!
Bosnia – Cimburijada
Carrying on our breakfast themed weird and wonderful spring traditions, is that of the Bosnian 'Cimburijada'. Translated to 'The Festival of Scrambled Eggs', it's exactly what you're probably imagining. In Zenica in Bosnia, the whole city will wake up to delightful smells of the largest breakfast ever. A huge pan set by the river with a seemingly endless quantity of eggs. The residents of Zenica gather round to joyfully shove as many eggs as they please down the gullet, in celebration of the birth of new life, which an egg symbolises. The city then proceeds to barbecue, party, and jump in the Bosna River for the rest of the day. I don't know about you, but I am very keen to travel to Bosnia in time for this giant egg orgy.
India - Holi Festival
You’ve probably seen or heard of this one tradition in northern India that gives us all second-hand paint-in-eye anxiety. The Holi festival is celebrated by Hindus across Northern India and involves throwing dyed powder over each other. So not quite paint. Powder-in-eye anxiety is more accurate. Holi is a celebration of the good triumphing over the bad and usually occurs in February or March. It also pays tribute to the spring season in general events from Hindu mythology.
I’m sure, like me, we’ve all been through the colourful fashion phase. We wanted to add a ‘pop’ and a little edge to our look and dyed an embarrassing single pink streak into our hair. How about take this idea a million steps further? Add a real ‘pop’ to your look by attending this festival. You’ll be head to toe in every colour in the rainbow, with only your eyes peering out into the world. This technicolour dream coat of a tradition offers a chance to connect with other human beings and let go of any past hardships, and isn’t that worth taking part in? Apparently, it can get quite crazy, so I’d recommend doing some research before you attend this wonderful all day and all-night celebration!
Thailand - Songkran Water Festival
We’ve had colourful powder thrown at you in India, now take a look at Thailand if you fancy washing off all that paint. It might be a bit of a long commute covered in dye however, but hey, goals are goals. If you happen to be in beautiful Thailand shortly after the Spring Equinox, you might be hit in the face with buckets full of water. Imagine the fun runs in the UK, where nearby spectators spray their garden pipes full of water at you to ‘cool you down’. Now imagine that lasts for SIX whole days and it’ll be like the Songkran festival. Songkran is annually celebrated in Chiang Mai as New Year’s Day. It mainly consists of spraying everyone with water guns, buckets and hose pipes, drenching everyone under the Thai Sun. Not only this, dancing and music is involved. It’s basically singing in the shower taken to an extreme level. Festivities also include visiting Buddhist monasteries and visiting elders. I’d deffo like to go purely for the refreshment vibes.
USA - White House Easter Egg Roll
The White House takes a break from governing the great US of A to throw it’s annual Easter Egg Roll on the lawn of the White House. Believed to have become a tradition since 1814, this will awaken the Easter Egg lover in your child (and you). Colourfully decorated, hidden Easter Eggs everywhere, and a giant Easter Bunny roaming around. Donnie Darko much? Children are encouraged to roll eggs across the grass with wooden spoons for the chance of first prize in which to receive sweets and other Easter goodies. Similar to the egg and spoon race we all inevitably did at our school sports day to the immense criticism and ultimate disappointment of your onlooking families. Although this particular contest includes the overlooking eye of the President of the United States. So, no pressure? I only hope that America choses their next President on which child is victorious. Wouldn’t this be a much less divisive way of electing a ruler? The Easter Egg Roll Ruler does have a certain ring to it…
Mexico - Spring Equinox in Teotihuacán
Ever feel like your spring celebrations aren’t quite challenging enough? Want to be more at one with nature? Then perhaps travel over to Teotihuacán in Mexico for a bit of a change from the Tesco Easter Egg binging sesh you usually have. Thousands of people don all white and gather at the enormous Teotihuacán Pyramid, located around 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. If white’s your colour, I’d suggest joining in. Usually taking place on either the 20th or 21st March to celebrate the Spring Equinox, thousands of people climb the daunting 360 steps to the top of the pyramid in the morning. Raising their arms towards the sky under the Springtime Sun, they celebrate by soaking up the Sun’s rays. Think of the IV vitamin drips that’s all the rage in LA but terrifies the rest of us. Except all they’re soaking in is the lovely sunshine, with no IV drip in sight.
As you ponder how best to celebrate the Spring this year, I hope this has provided a few more options to turn your hand at. Or, perhaps it’s one of those things you could only spectate at. I definitely doubt I’d be rolling down a hill chasing a cheese anytime soon, but never say never. Maybe you just want to lie around in the Sun, eating a chocolate egg, or attend church, or any way else you celebrate Spring. But if you’re ever curious , I suggest looking up these unusual yet brilliant festivals for a bit of travel inspo. I personally am heading straight for the Scrambled Egg Festival next year. Hopefully see you there!
If you liked this article and crave the sunny rays of Spring, but are perhaps embroiled in a cold, cold winter, then you might like my article Winter Woe By Me - How To Feel Sorry For Yourself This Winter.
