Easter, Guyana Style
The Christian community in various forms and fashion celebrates Easter worldwide, inclusive of Guyana. Besides Christmas, Easter is one of my favourite Holidays in Guyana. I enjoyed Easter while growing up and very much still do today. My enjoyment of Easter is in terms of both my Christian religious Belief and the love for my Guyanese Culture.
Easter is one of the most important event on the Christian calendar — as we reverence, give thanks to God, and remember the ultimate sacrifice of the Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This ultimate sacrifice of Christ revealed the Truth, and brought mankind closer to God. The celebration of Easter in Guyana commemorates with Palm Sunday service and a march with palms (signifying when Jesus Christ entered the city of Jerusalem), followed by Holy Thursday service and Prayers & Meditation (symbolic to keeping watch with Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane in preparation for His trial and crucifixion).
At the dawn of Good Friday, persons would normally eat ‘Hot Cross Buns’ for breakfast, during the day and over the Easter weekend. The Cross Buns I speak of is an aspect of our rich Guyanese Culture contributed by the British. The ‘Cross’ on the buns signifies the Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. As such these Cross Buns are normally baked/ purchased by persons to consume and/ share with others during the Easter Commemorations, as we celebrate Christ. As celebrations continue, many spend the Day at Good Friday and Easter Sunday Church Services or/ privately at home with God in prayer.
By Easter Monday, in fact, from the days leading to Easter, persons begin flying kites of all shapes and sizes — symbolising the Resurrection of Christ. In addition to the symbolic meaning of flying kites at Easter, the activity in itself facilitates a great past time for many Guyanese. Personally, I remember flying kites out in the countryside [i.e. areas of Guyana outside the boundaries of urban locations], Open Spaces in Georgetown, and on the canal dams adjacent to Guysuco sugar cane fields along the Coast of Guyana [Fun Times:-)].
Therefore, Easter is a wonderful occasion to spend time with family &/ friends engaging in activities and picnics. Thus, true to form, many Guyanese families engage in various activities such as:
- Kite flying along the Sea walls, in parks, sport grounds and/ open spaces in Georgetown and around Guyana.
- Bartica Regatta, Region 7
- Rupununi Rodeo (aka Lethem Rodeo), Region 9
I have never personally had the opportunity to go to the Regatta and Rodeo. However, I have heard much about the excitement of the vaqueros (aka cowboys) wild bronco and bull riding at the Rodeo and the fun of the boat races and water sports at the Regatta. I do plan to go one day :-)
“Guyana is still growing, with hurdles to overcome. However, despite these difficulties, what we must hold to, and stand firm in, is that we are Guyanese first” (C.R.Bascom 2016).
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.
From Guyana with Love,
C.R.Bascom
Reference
[1] Bascom, C.R (2016), Call Me Guyanese.
[2] Bascom, C.R. (2015), Unconditional Love of God.
[3] Explore Guyana (2015), Bartica Easter Regatta.
[4] Guyana Chronicle (2016), Guyana Chronicle Easter Supplement.
[5] Inews Guyana (2016), Scenes: Easter Monday festivities — the people, the bright smiles, the kites, the fun…
[6] The Orange Mango, Lethem Easter Rodeo.
