In traditional Easter procession, Czechs scare away Judas with wooden rattles

A procession of Christians clad in black and wearing white masks marched solemnly through the Czech town of Ceske Budejovice on Good Friday (April 3), shaking wooden rattles meant to scare away the biblical figure Judas.

David Cerny and Malgorzata Wojtunik/Reuters

4 April 2026 at 03:27:53

People wearing masks march with large wooden rattles through the streets during Easter celebrations in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, April 3, 2026. According to the traditional belief, the noise will scare away Judas, the apostle that Christians believe betrayed Jesus Christ.

David W Cerny/Reuters

The tradition, according to local Christian belief, aims to ward off Judas, the apostle accused of betraying Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver.

The rattle is an old-fashioned wooden device with a rotating wheel, producing a clicking sound as it rolls on the town's cobbled streets.

The tradition has a rich history and was previously celebrated in many villages and small towns across the region.

Production: David Cerny, Malgorzata Wojtunik/Reuters