5 weird things people do on Easter that will surprise you

Easter is known as a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, dress in beautiful clothes, go to church, and enjoy egg hunts. But in many countries, Easter is also filled with unusual customs that you probably won’t believe are real. Here are some weird things people do on Easter.

1. In Finland, kids dress like witches and beg for candy

Every Easter, Finnish children dress up as witches with painted faces and brooms. Then they go from door to door, waving decorated sticks and asking for sweets. This tradition is believed to bring good luck, but to outsiders, it might look more like Halloween than Easter.

2. Women are playfully whipped with willow branches

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, men lightly whip women with braided willow branches on Easter Monday. This odd practice is said to bring health and beauty for the year ahead. As strange as it sounds, it is considered fun and not meant to hurt anyone.

READ ALSO: 6 strange Boxing Day traditions around the World

3. People fly colorful kites to symbolize Jesus’ ascension

Good Friday in Bermuda is marked with the beautiful tradition of flying homemade kites made from sticks, colored paper, and string. The kite represents Jesus rising into the sky. While it’s meaningful, seeing thousands of people flying kites at once can look pretty wild to someone who has never heard of the custom before.

4. In Norway, people read murder mystery novels

Easter is the season for crime fiction in Norway. Known as Påskekrim, it’s a time when TV stations air detective shows, and bookstores feature murder mystery novels. It’s definitely one of the weirdest things people do during Easter, but Norwegians love it.

5. Some people reenact the crucifixion in Philippines

One of the most intense Easter traditions happens in the Philippines, where some extremely devout Catholics volunteer to be nailed to wooden crosses. They do this to show their faith and to experience a part of Jesus’ suffering. It’s not encouraged by the Church but is still done by dozens of people every year.

These weird things people do on Easter remind us that cultures celebrate in different and fascinating ways.