Dyngus
(Easter Monday)

 
 
 
 


 (Splash Monday)






Dyngus or "Smingus Dyngus" is celebrated in Poland  on the first Monday after Easter.  On this day boys lie in wait to sprinkle (or douse) girls with water or perfume.  It is said that girls who get caught and soaked with water will marry within the year.  It's been suggested that this is the very reason why some girls  make feeble attempts to escape the dousing.

This custom  of dousing may be of pagan origin since the pouring of water is an ancient Spring symbol of cleansing and purification.  Another theory is that this represents the renewal of the sacrament of baptism after Christ has risen.  Also, according to legend,  the  Polish ruler, Prince Mieszko the First was baptized in 966 on Easter Monday.

The first recorded account of Dyngus  dates back to the Middle Ages when the custom was known as "Oblewania."  Evidently, the women were given ample time to retaliate.   The old chronicle says that "on Tuesday and every day thereafter until the time of the Green Holidays - Pentecost - the women doused the men."