DYNGUS DAY AT DOM POLSKI

March 24, 2008 - Dyngus Day

Celebrate Dyngus Day at the Dom Polski Club located at 576 Oliver St in North Tonawanda. It's fun for the whole family....and you don't have to be Polish to enjoy the good food and beverage; great music featuring Matt Piorkowski on accordian....AND there will be pussy willows. For reservations or more information call: 716-692-8327

April 9, 2007 - Dyngus Day

DID YOU KNOW?

Buffalo, New York is officially the Dyngus Capital of America with the largest concentration of festival locations and live polka music. Visit Buffalo's own Dyngus Day Web Site Smaller festivals can be found in communities with sizable Polish-America populations such as South Bend, Indiana, Chicago, Illinois, Elizabeth, New Jersey, Bristol, Connecticut and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Celebrations in South Bend kick off political campaign season in the City.

WHAT IS DYNGUS DAY?
Historically a Polish-American tradition, Dyngus Day celebrates the end of the often restrictive observance of lent. As tradition goes "Fat Tuesday" or Paczki Day is the last celebration prior to lent ending at midnight on Tuesday. By the way a paczki (pronounced "Poonch-key") is a Polish donut. Over the decades, Dyngus Day (Monday) has become a wonderful holiday to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions and the joy of Easter. You don't have to be Polish to celebrate....as the popular polka anthem explains, "Everybody's Polish On Dyngus Day!" Although doors open at 5:00 PM at Dom Polski (North Tonawanda, New York), other parties may begin during the mid-morning on the Monday after Easter with a large buffet of traditional Easter foods (kielbasa, ham, fresh breads, eggs). It is common to hear polka music on Dyngus Day with the mandatory dancing of at least one polka. Many parties continue well into daylight on Tuesday. (A tip to the first time Dyngus participant..take Tuesday off from work.)
 
HOW DID IT START?
There are many stories that attempt to explain the origins of the day. Many Polish customs date back to pre-Christian practices of our Slavic ancestors. The custom of pouring water is an ancient spring rite of cleansing, purification, and fertility. The same is true of the complimentary practice of switching with pussy willow branches.  Since 966 A.D., Dyngus Day has been associated with the baptism of Prince Mieszko I. Tradition states that Prince Mieszko I along with his court were baptized on Easter Monday. Thus, Dyngus Day and its rites of sprinkling with water have become a folk celebration in thanksgiving for the fact that the first king of Poland was baptized into Christianity, bringing Catholicism to Poland. In more modern times, the tradition continued when farm boys in Poland wanted to attract notice from the girls of their choice. It was custom to throw water and hit the girls on their legs with twigs or pussywillows.

PUSSYWILLOWS OR WATER?

A yearly debate among Dyngus Day revelers. The tradition holds true that on Easter Monday boys would sprinkle the girls with water and tap them with pussywillows. On Easter Tuesday, the women would return the favorite. At modern Dyngus Day parties it is common practice that both men and women trade water and pussywillow equally.

PUSSYWILLOWS?

According to Polish legend, many springs ago, baby kittens fell into a raging river while chasing butterflies. The mother cat sadly wept at the river's edge, pleading for help for her drowning kittens. The willows heard her mournful cries and swept their long graceful branches into the water. The kittens grabbed the branches, held on tightly and were safely brought to shore. Every spring, from that day on, the willows sprouted fur-like buds where the tiny kittens once clung. The pussy willow is one of the first "budding" plants of spring.

TRY A LITTLE POLISH!
Here are a few words and sayings in Polish that you can use while celebrating Dyngus Day. Need help? Just ask someone at a Dyngus Day Party. They would be happy to help!