Crazy Easter Customs

People crucify ‘Jesus’ in reenactment of the Passion of Christ in the Philippines in 2015. File Photo.

In Philippines, people subject themselves to a whipping parade to replicate Jesus’ suffering.

EASTER CUSTOMS

While Easter is a Christian festival along the Passion of Jesus Christ, other societies cherish it with traditional rituals that may seem strange.

Hilary Bainemigisha compiled some of the traditions that leave one puzzled.

Philippines

In Philippines, people subject themselves to a whipping parade.

In this public event, believers walk on the streets barefoot and halfnaked to replicate the suffering of Jesus.

But weirdest of all is the Easter play. A man chosen to act as Jesus is actually nailed, hands and feet to a cross.

The two-hour street play, called San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites , in Pampanga takes place on Good Friday.

At least three and as many as 12 individuals are nailed to a cross on a makeshift Calvary.

One man, called Ruben Enaje, 53, a carpenter and former construction worker, has been crucified 32 times since 1985.

The ritual, which started in 1962, draws crowds of spectators to see volunteers who offer to be crucified.

In 2017, in the city of San Fernando, 80km north of Manila, 20 people were hung on the crosses for about 10 minutes, before being treated by nearby medical personnel. 

Czech Republic and Slovakia

Men whip women with a special handmade whip.

In the eastern regions of Moravia and Slovakia, they also pour cold water on them.

Article source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1498933/crazy-easter-customs