La Toquette
Some of the customs brought to southwest Louisiana by the exiled French Acadians in the 1700's
are still observed by many of their descendants.  One of these is an Easter game known in France
as "La Toquette."  In Louisiana, it's called "Paques Paques" or "Egg Paquing" (or "Pocking").
"Paques" is the French word for Easter, but the name is, also, a play on words for this game,
because when you tap one egg on another, it makes a sound like "poc."  The game is simple.
One person holds a boiled, dyed Easter egg, while another person taps the tip of it with the tip
of another egg.  The winner is the person whose egg survives without cracking.  This may
sound like child's play, but in some families and communities, it's taken very seriously!
Folks have been known to go to great lengths in attempts to make their eggs stronger than their
competitors'.  For instance, the breeds of chickens who lay eggs with the toughest shells are in
demand.  And some people give their chickens calcium supplements in the weeks before Easter.
I once heard about a g-grandmother's secret weapon.  She was always the champion, no one
could ever win a competition with her, her egg was the inevitable winner.  After she died, the
family discovered her secret.  They found, among her things, an Easter egg - made of wood!
As far as I know, in the United States, this tradition is pretty much limited to the Cajun
communities of south Louisiana.  But, I understand that it's still popular in some regions
of Europe, particularly in certain areas of the Balkans.   -- Nancy
Wherever you may be, I wish you:   Joyeuses Paques  ~  Happy Easter
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The eggs are never wasted after the competition.  For the next week or so, Deviled Eggs
appear at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  But no one seems to mind - they're too busy planning
their strategy for next Easter's contest!  (If you'd like to try your hand at this custom,
you'll find a recipe that might come in handy at the bottom of the page.)
...