The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CUSTOM

ON DYNGUS DAY, THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER, MEN SWITCH WOMEN'S LEGS
WITH A TREE BRANCH. ON TUESDAY, ALSO CALLED DYNGUS DAY, WOMEN
SWITCH MEN'S LEGS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM. THE INFORMANT SAID FRIENDS SWITCHED
EACH OTHER. AFTER SWITCHING, THE SWITCHER EXPECTED A DRINK.
THIS CUSTOM HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE FOR MANY YEARS. THE INFORMANT
SAID IT LAST HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER. A FRIEND SWITCHED HER LEGS
WHILE SHE WAS WASHING DISHES AND SHE POURED A GLASS OF COLD
WATER DOWN HIS BACK FOR REVENGE.
THIS IS A LIMITED FORM OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A
SYMBOLIC GESTURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT