A Bajan Easter
The one thing you will notice as you drive around Barbados is the proliferation of churches of all denominations spread across the island. From the humble one room worship hall to the grandest of cathedrals and parish churches. This would give you a heads up to the fact that Easter is just as important to Bajans as Christmas. As such, our celebrations tend to reflect this with the Easter weekend having the feel of a celebration after the somber observance of Lent, and reverence of Good Friday.
Easter is also kite flying season in Barbados, and any island tour involves looking to the skies to follow the gentle buzz of the ‘bulls’ of a Bajan round kite or singing angel. The bright colours and myriad patterns of colourful paper dot the skies on every day, except for Good Friday. Tradition dictates that on that day all kites are silenced and only black kites are flown, with the colour returning on Easter day in celebration.
The strong trade winds washing across the island which are equaling good for kite flying as they are for sailing and other aquatic wind sports. The horizon is usually dotted with colourful spinnakers and kites for the avid kite boarders and ‘foilers’ dancing across the tops of waves. Regattas are the order of the day, with the odd international competition thrown in for good measure. Drive from beach to beach in your hired car and enjoy the splendor first hand. That would be our advice.
During the Lenten season Barbadians eat a lot of fish, especially on every Friday. As a result, the island’s fish markets and restaurants are full of life and fish of every conceivable species is available for the taking. If you’re a fish lover, then this is the time of year to be here. Celebrating mother ocean is the name of the game over Easter weekend with the annual Oistins Fish Festival taking centre stage in the south of the island. There are fish boning and skinning competitions, music and revelry, fishing boat races and of course awesome cuisine to be enjoyed all weekend long. Just cruise on down and park your rental as you stroll through this piece of Barbadiana.
Back to those kites: Easter Monday is the traditional peak of the kite flying season with the annual kite flying contests. Across the island freshly cut sugar cane fields and sports grounds host entries from the smallest to the largest, some competing for cash prizes, and all competing for pride! Plan to spend a day on the road zipping from field to field using the skies as your guide. The aural and visual spectacle is not one you’re likely to forget soon.
We’ve only barely scratched the surface of the memories you can make over Easter in Barbados. No matter your view or persuasion there is something for everyone at this time of year, and if you’re really lucky the Easter Bunny will have paid you a visit.
Remember, load up the GPS and buckle into your rental car for the trip of a lifetime in Barbados!
