Easter Witches

In Finland, easter is celebrated in two ways. Firstly, there’s the typical Christian way, which is presumably pretty much the same all over the Christian world.

Then there’s the pagan way, which I find much more interesting. In addition to all the delicious lamb and other foods served, such as the suspicious-looking black goop that is “Mämmi” (or “memma” in Swedish), children dress up as witches and warlocks and go from house to house, receiving candy.

Swedish-speaking witches with candy-kettles and easter-twigs

The Swedish-speaking and Finnish-speaking witches do this at different times. The Finnish-speak ones dress up one week before, and go from house to house, giving twigs decorated with feathers, chanting rhymes and blessings, and receiving candy.

Next weekend, the Swedish-speaking ones come. They usually come without rhymes and without twigs, but they do sometimes give you hand-made easter cards. They too raid your candy supplies. Traditionally, they put their acquired candies inside of little coffee-kettles. 

What is interesting is that these witches are all good-natured. There is none of the trickster feel from your typical Halloween. They are small, benign, and extraordinarily cute. Sure, they’re doing it for the candy, but there is none of that threatening feeling. No skeletons, no zombies, etc… It’s just witches with red cheeks, cute little warlocks, and the occasional easter-chicken or bunny or black cat. You are giving them treats to take with them as they fly to the moon. Because apparently witches do that once a year.