Learn more about Chodsko Area Folk Traditions

Chodsko is a completely unique region, which has many traditions and customs still held today. This historical area is famous for delicious local cakes, colorful folk costumes, well-known Chodsko ceramic and original music, in which the bagpipes dominate. Tourists can meet the traditional Dhodsko folklore mainly during local celebrations such as pilgrimages, Masopust, and many others.

One of the most widely held and memorable traditions of Chodsko celebrations, the Svatovavrinecka (St. Lawrence) pilgrimage, that traditionally takes place in the center of the Chodsko Region in the town of Domazlice since 1955. During the celebrations, many local women and men wear their traditional folk costume. The festive traditional folk costume is from the 19th century and is very colorful opposite to the costume worn during Easter and before Christmas, which is black. The most typical feature of the woman’s folk costume is the black, multicolored embroidered headscarf.

The Chodsko, ceramics have a long-lasting tradition. There are many types of ceramics in the Region of Chodsko but one of the most popular is called Kolovesska Keramik. The Volf family from the village of Kolovev has been making this type of ceramics for generations and this craft is inherited in the family from father to son. Red-brown shade and simple geometrical designs are typical for this type of folk ceramics. Another traditional local product is the painted Easter eggs called Chodske Straky.

Another tradition is called Masopust (the day before Lent). For local people, it is the most favorite folk celebration of the entire year. Masopust is yearly celebrated in the villages of Milavve and Hradiste but the greatest Masopust is in the village of Postrekov held the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. In a broader concept, Masopust is the time from Tri Kralove (Three Kings Day) to Popelecni Steda, Ash Wednesday. Historically, it was the time of zabijacka (a pig butchering) feasting, weddings and also the time farmers started the Spring field. There are many traditional theme balls held in the last three days called Voracka. An inseparable part of the celebration is the local masquerade parade. Voraci are the people in masks or costumes who walk around the houses and receive some money from people. Masopust ends with the symbolic execution of Masopust – Pochovani Masopustu. The villagers throw the figure of Masopust into the river, or they burn it.