Smiergust

Wilamowice have their origin in XIII century, when German and Dutch settlers arrivied in southern Poland. For centuries, their individuality appeared in tradition, culture, uniforms and language has been established. Nowadays, their language – wymysiöeryś- which is mix with Polish, German and Dutch is almost vanished. Śmigus- Dyngus is a holiday celebrated across whole Poland during Easter Monday, but in Wilamowice it has very local character. Here, it takes two days, but all boys and girls wait for Monday. In that day, just before noon, young boys with colorful masks and uniforms meet in the main square of Wilamowice. Armed with buckets of water, they wait for girls who participate in the mass in nearest church. After that, girls are attacted and get wet by drenching with gallons of water. Mostly young unmarried girls are the acceptable targets. Girls who hadn’t been a target were generally considered to be unattractive.

2012