Hot Cross Buns and Kite-Flying

THE Easter holidays are upon us and Guyanese are eagerly looking forward to the traditional Kite-flying activities after a two-year absence due to the global pandemic that prevailed as a result of the novel coronavirus. And while those physical activities may have been missed, there are some other traditions that have remained near and dear to our hearts, such as the preparation of hot cross buns- a staple of the Easter holidays.
The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Hazel Chance, who over the past 26 years has specialised in making cross buns every year at Easter.

Chance noted some of the challenges that she has experienced in making cross buns. She noted during her interview that the thing that makes her recipe unique is her “secret ingredient.”
“You wouldn’t find my recipe anywhere else, because it is mine, my signature Arein’s Delight and Catering Services,” Chance confidentially told the Pepperpot Magazine.
It is during this time that cross buns are usually and more widespread, simply because of its significance and meaning to Christians, Chance noted.
While of the makers of Cross Buns, the Cross is very visible, for Chance, the Cross is situated at the top of the bun.

Now with most of the restrictions of the pandemic lifted locally, Guyanese are also eagerly looking forward to kite-flying activities during the Easter season
The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Morris Prince, a prominent kite vendor, who has been involved in the making of Kites for the past 35 years.
Prince’s longstanding practice and his usual location at Camp Street this time of year, has earned him multiple features in the Pepperpot Magazine over the years. Over the past two years, the pandemic had severely hindered his sales, this year, he is optimistic about this changing. When it comes to his craft, he is clearly knowledgeable and shared some of the important aspects of kite-making.
“First of all, if you are going to get into kite- making, you got to know the wood, the wood that you normally buy is Cinaroopa, you have to know the size, either 1×2, 2×2, whatever, you had to know which one of the woods to procure and how to cut it up. The other challenge is to get the bamboo to make the nose for the kite,” Prince told the Pepperpot Magazine in an interview this year.

He is also interested in the promotion of local artists and their talent, so that they can find other ways of earning in times of difficulty.
“There are other factors to be considered. International companies and executives have to engage the artists, photograph their work and engage in advertising work in brochures, so that international bodies and agencies can see your good work,” he explained. “It is all about advertising and engaging folks in the diaspora and further [sic] afield to support the Guyanese Artists.”
Another kite vendor, Trevor Smith, who began his kite- selling career at age 16 and has been involved in kite- selling for 38 years, expressed his enthusiasm that he is happy that the festivity, excitement and joy of Easter have returned, and the fact that people have begun to purchase kites again for Easter Monday.
These are two staple traditions of the Easter holidays and many Guyanese are surely looking forward to enjoying them both this year.