Bizarre Easter traditions from whipping women and hunting bunnies to self-crucifixion

dailystar.co.uk:

Easter is a time to catch up with loved ones, pay respects at church and feast on too much chocolate - but for some, the special holiday involves whipping women, hunting bunnies and reading murder mysteries.Each year, people look forward to carrying out the unusual traditions and stray from the more conventional events.Even the ones which may come across as sinister have a reason for holding out for the holiday.Below, the Daily Star has decided to take a look at some of the world's most craziest traditions that take place on Easter.Over in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, men and boys parade the streets in the hopes to find a woman to lightly whip.To whip the females, they use gaily willow switches, which they usually decorate with ribbons, reports Wanderlust.The act isn't meant to hurt the lady, but instead is carried out in the hopes to stir beauty and good health.However, the tradition is viewed as controversial now.To celebrate the religious holiday in Papua New Guinea, locals start their Easter by attending church before getting a peculiar gift afterwards.While most people hope to be gifted a sweet treat, residents expect something a little stronger like tobacco.The tradition sees trees decorated with cigarettes and sticks of tobacco which are placed outside of the church.They are then handed out once the service is complete.Crime authors can't wait for Easter in Norway, as the special holiday means they can finally release their long-awaited books.As part of the odd celebration, people flock to eerie cabins located on the mountains so they can focus on 'whodunnit' for the weekend.TV channels run shows in relation to the demand while detective novels are specifically commissioned just before.The tradition came about.