The world's largest Dyngus Day celebration takes place in Buffalo today. What is Dyngus Day, you ask? Dyngus Day is the annual post-Lenten bash that attracts tens of thousands to Buffalo to celebrate spring, show Polish pride, and listen to top-notch polka bands.
While the tradition dates back centuries in Poland, Dyngus Day in Buffalo had its start in 1961. Historically a Polish-American tradition, Dyngus Day celebrates the end of Lent and Easter. Over the decades, Dyngus Day has become a holiday to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions.
Associated with the Sacrament of Baptism, pussywillows are symbolic of the holiday. The tradition continued when farm boys in Poland wanted to attract the girls as dates. It was custom to throw water and hit the girls on their legs with twigs or pussywillows.
According to the Encyclopedia Staropolska written in the 19th century by A. Gloger, the word can be traced back to a medieval form of the word “Dingnus,” which means “worthy, proper, or suitable.” Gloger cites a use of the word, “ranson during a war to protect against pillage,” as well as a German usage of “Dingen,” which means “to come to an agreement, evaluate or buy back.”
Syracuse will celebrate its own Dyngus Day at the Polish Community Home on Park Ave today from 6-10 PM.
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