The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH PALM SUNDAY CUSTOM

PALMA BIJE,
NIE JA BIJE,
A WIELKANOC ZA TIGIEN,
MEANING,
THE PALM IS BEATING,
I AM NOT BEATING,
EASTER IS IN A WEEK.

Submitter comment: STELLA KRZYZANOWSKI LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER JULIA
WASIELEWSKI, THIS IS A SAYING ASSOCIATED WITH PALM SUNDAY,
WHEN YOU COME FROM CHURCH WITH YOUR PALM AND TAP EVERYONE IN
THE HOUSE WITH THE PALM, SAYING THE WORDS LISTED. IT IS
PROBABLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACT THAT PALM SUNDAY LEAVES
ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO LENT. THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO DO PENANCE.
IT IS THE PALM (WHICH WAS USED TO SHOW HONOR TOWARD CHRIST)
WHICH INFLICTS THE PAIN (SUPPOSEDLY), NOT THE LOWLY SINNER HOLDING
THE PALM.
THIS IS A KIND OF RITUAL BEATING OR RITUAL WHIPPING, A SYMBOLIC
GESTURE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-07-1977