EASTER in Guyana is like nothing else you would have experienced anywhere else, and there is probably nothing anyone can do to convince me otherwise.
Easter is a Christian religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God, on the third day after his crucifixion.
On the religious side of things, the past week- the final week of the period of Lent- would have been a sacred one. This week began with Palm Sunday, the day that celebrates the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. The week starts to wind down on Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. Then there are the observances of Easter Sunday and Monday.
In Guyana, in my opinion, there is no shortage of reverence for the observances. You would find the churches filled with people coming to show their devotion. And despite the country being both secular and multicultural, I find it amazing that businesses and people, generally, solemnly observe Good Friday. All non-essential services are closed for the day. I believe that this goes a far way in maintaining respect for another’s religion and culture.
This just shows, also, that there are just some things we do in Guyana that we have adopted and integrated into our culture and celebrations.
I, personally, am not necessarily involved in the more religious observances of the holiday but I am respectful of these observances. And of course, engaging in the Guyanese celebrations of Easter is a must.
Flying a kite is symbolic of the risen Jesus and it is something that is widespread in Guyana. I can remember during my primary school days, we would make the famous ‘Caddy Ole Punch’ kite (though sometimes to the dismay of the cleaning staff) and convince ourselves that the kite would actually fly one day. I can also remember flying actual kites during my time in QC, on the last day of school before the Easter vacations.
There are also the Easter goodies. While those chocolate Easter eggs have found popularity in other countries, we have our things. At least once in your life, you must have tried cross buns and cheese (especially the ‘tip top’ cheese!). And you must have had a drink of ‘Cream Soda and milk’ to go with those buns. You have to admit, that’s the Good Friday special.
On Easter Sunday and definitely on Easter Monday, it would be impossible for you to pass by the long stretch of seawalls on the Rupert Craig Highway or by the National Park without seeing the sky packed with a litany of kites- in all shapes, colours and sizes. And the scene is just a melee of loud music, thousands of people and the all too familiar singing of the kites.
And every year, without fail, there will be at least one person who took the time and diligence to create a colossal kite that requires a canter truck to fetch it around and about five persons to get it up in the air and then down again- if it actually goes up in the air. You know how it goes, go big or go home!
These are Easter traditions I have grown up with, just as so many other persons have.
But outside of the religious celebrations of Easter, and how this fosters kinship bonds, we really do the most in Guyana at Easter time.
The famous Rupununi Rodeo is hosted during the Easter Weekend, as is the wildly popular Bartica Regatta. Both of these events capitalise on the lengthy ‘Easter Weekend’ and offer up things that are uniquely Guyanese in nature.
At the rodeo, scores of persons head down south into the Lethem region to see the vaqueros and ranches battle it out for supremacy. The regatta, on the other hand, features water sports (featuring mostly speed boats), cricket, boxing, soccer, talent shows, a street parade and party, and a Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant
So really, the only downside of Easter would probably be the inability to experience everything all at once. And like I said, I don’t think there is anywhere else in the world you can experience Easter as you can in Guyana. What we have here is that unique blend of religious observances, traditions and even a bit of adventure and excitement in the mix. Happy Easter!
