Author Archives: John Broderick

Greek Orthodox Easter Egg Game

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Chicago
Performance Date: April 24th, 2019
Primary Language: English
Language: Greek

The following Greek Orthodox easter tradition was performed in New/North  on April 24th, 2019

According to the informant, the Greek orthodox church also has traditions involving eggs.

“There’s a game I love to play where we dye eggs red, which is meant to be the blood that Jesus sacrificed. Then you hit two eggs top top, bottom bottom and crack them against each other.” The game ends when an egg cracks, and the uncracked egg wins.

“ Whenever you do it you say “christós anésti“ which translates to “christ is risen”, and then other person says back “pragmatiká échei anévei” meaning “truly he has risen.” This game is fun for kids but also has serious meaning with the red dye symbolism. Children grow up learning about their faith because of the games attached, just as the informant did.

 

A Nickel in Your Shoe: German Wedding Custom

Nationality: American
Age: 18
Occupation: Student
Residence: Ohio
Performance Date: April 12, 2019
Primary Language: English

The following German wedding custom was performed in the USC Village on April 12th, 2019. On the German side of the informant’s family, there was a wedding tradition passed through many generations. “In the shoe bride wore, a junior bridesmaid or flower girl would put a nickel in shoe. The nickel was passed through the family as good luck charm for a happy marriage and happy health.”

 

“My grandma on my mom’s side, her youngest brother was 16 years younger than her. So when Uncle Danny, my mom’s uncle but I call him uncle. When Danny got married my mom was in his wedding because she was perfect bridesmaids age. They had a daughter and when she was getting married, I was perfect age for flower girl. So it kept going back and forth that we were in each other’s weddings.”

 

The informant says she will always remember the tradition because it’s something “I’ve been apart of since I was a little girl and my journey with it is only half over until I get married one day”. This tradition is a wonderful way of keeping the family involved in every wedding. Everyone will get their time to shine and is made to feel important for two ceremonies.

 

Norwegian May Baskets

Nationality: American
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Residence: Texas
Performance Date: April 24th, 2019
Primary Language: English

The following Norwegian tradition was performed in New/North: 

The informant’s mother is from Norway and grew up making May baskets, which are woven cones full of flowers and spring items that gets left on the doorstep of a neighbor on May’s Eve, or April 30th. It’s a play on the saying ‘April showers bring May flowers.’

“In Norway people weave their own baskets but that wouldn’t fly in Texas. But my mom did bring the tradition to Texas and got the whole block on board”

The informant remembers the excitement of putting together the baskets and picking what each would have inside. She hopes to continue the tradition with her family and bring the tradition to wherever she ends up. The baskets are a nice signifier that the rainy days are over and May will bring sunshine, flowers and positive vibes.