Today, Oschtermandi, Easter Monday, is traditionally in Alsace the day when the Easter hare passes by to lay colored eggs in the nest.
It may have already passed yesterday, some have a head start. But it is also a day where the conscripts are in the spotlight. In the past, the young men of a class, concerned by conscription, hence the term conscript, spent a good year partying before being enrolled in one or the other army, yes it oscillated between France and Germany, with all these military vicissitudes. The young people knew they were going to leave, so they made the most of it, and it was singing, dancing, shouting…
Even if he certainly no longer has a voice, some villages have kept this tradition well anchored, with conscripts dressed in white, a beautiful decorated apron, and many colored ribbons tied to the hat. In Oschtermandi, on Easter Monday, it was the traditional egg race. S’Eier Ranne. We are already talking about it in the 16th century. All the youth had collected during Kàrwoch, Holy Week, eggs in the neighborhood. Two teams were formed, two routes were defined: well, do you want to comment on everything, Nelson Monfort?
Because there, it’s special! There were several methods of racing. One of the champions had to run to a place and come back with proof that he had reached the goal, a loaf of bread, a pennant, whatever. The other had to collect as quickly as possible and without breaking them, eggs deposited every 2 meters along a road, sometimes a little hidden. Many spectators are often mentioned.
In the evening, a large festive meal was shared by all, and the losing team took charge of the expenses of the feast. A sporting tradition that may need to be put back on the agenda to digest after this festive weekend.