Water fights in Hungary and horseback parades in Germany: Easter celebrated with unusual traditions around the world

  • In Traustein, Germany, hundreds of horse riders dressed in traditional costume take place in an Easter parade
  • The processional, known as the Georgiritt, sees participants head to a local church where they will be blessed
  • In Central Europe, men douse women with buckets of water as part of their Easter Monday celebrations

By Katie Amey for MailOnline

Published: 11:09 EST, 6 April 2015 | Updated: 14:54 EST, 6 April 2015

While most people are used to hiding chocolate eggs and enjoying dinner with family and friends, Easter celebrations in parts of the world can take on a very different appearance.

In southern Germany, hundreds of people braved the snow for a traditional Easter Monday procession on horseback, while in Slovakia women were doused with buckets of water as part of their weekend celebrations.

A similar age-old tradition takes place in Hungary, where after being sprinkled with water, the women give the men beautifully coloured eggs in return.

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In southern Germany, hundreds of horse riders and spectators braved the snow for their traditional Easter Monday procession

In southern Germany, hundreds of horse riders and spectators braved the snow for their traditional Easter Monday procession

Local residents of Traustein, dressed in historical costumes, ride through the snow to get blessing for men and beast 

Local residents of Traustein, dressed in historical costumes, ride through the snow to get blessing for men and beast 

The Easter horseback parade, known as the Georgiritt, is held in Traustein, Germany and dates back to the 18th century

The Easter horseback parade, known as the Georgiritt, is held in Traustein, Germany and dates back to the 18th century

Also part of the celebration in south-east Germany is a sabre dance, which symbolises the victory of spring over winter

Also part of the celebration in south-east Germany is a sabre dance, which symbolises the victory of spring over winter

Held in Traustein, Germany, the Easter horseback parade, known as the Georgiritt, dates back to the 18th century.

Despite today's heavy snow, the Bavarian riders, clad in traditional costume, and some 400 horses, took off toward a church in nearby Ettendorf to receive blessings.

Along with the procession, the town in Germany's south-eastern region also stages a sabre dance each year that is meant to symbolise the victory of spring over winter. 

Meanwhile in Male Trakany, Slovakia, more than 550 miles from Traustein, men in the community celebrated Easter Monday by throwing buckets of water at women.

In Male Trakany, Slovakia, men throw buckets of water on women as part of the Easter weekend celebrations

In Male Trakany, Slovakia, men throw buckets of water on women as part of the Easter weekend celebrations

Known as Śmigus-Dyngus, meaning Wet Monday, the celebration is held in several other Central European countries, such as Poland

Known as Śmigus-Dyngus, meaning Wet Monday, the celebration is held in several other Central European countries, such as Poland

In the village of Cicarovce, men and boys take great delight in pouring water over the local women, clad in traditional clothing, as part of the weekend's celebrations.

Other rituals are often included in the celebration, such as reciting verses and holding door-to-door processions.

In some communities, the boys dress up as bears.  

Known as Śmigus-Dyngus, meaning Wet Monday, the celebration is held in several Central European countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

This unusual tradition is almost on the brink of extinction, with only a few villages in Slovakia still celebrating Easter this way

This unusual tradition is almost on the brink of extinction, with only a few villages in Slovakia still celebrating Easter this way

In Nyiregyhaza, Hungary, a similar tradition occurs, with young men dressed in folk dress sprinkling water on the village's local women

In Nyiregyhaza, Hungary, a similar tradition occurs, with young men dressed in folk dress sprinkling water on the village's local women

In Hungary, the ritual is known as Vízbeveto, or Water Plunge Monday, and women present the men with coloured eggs in exchange

In Hungary, the ritual is known as Vízbeveto, or Water Plunge Monday, and women present the men with coloured eggs in exchange

In Nyiregyhaza - about 140 miles from Budapest - the tradition takes place while members of the Nyirseg Dance Group perform

In Nyiregyhaza - about 140 miles from Budapest - the tradition takes place while members of the Nyirseg Dance Group perform

Unfortunately, the beautiful, yet strange tradition, which may date back to pagan times, is almost on the brink of extinction in Slovakia, with only a few small villages still taking part. 

In Nyiregyhaza, Hungary - about 140 miles north-east of Budapest - young men dressed in folk costumers pour water from buckets on young women while members of the Nyirseg Dance Group perform.

The ritual is known as Vízbeveto, or Water Plunge Monday, where boys throw water over girls and spank them with pussy willow branches on Easter Monday, and then the girls return the favour on Easter Tuesday.

However, the several hundred years' old tradition of the Hungarian villages has evolved and now often sees young men sprinkle water on the women, who, in exchange, present the men with brightly coloured eggs on Easter Monday.

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