Black Easter Traditions Across The Diaspora

For many, Easter brings to mind pastel outfits, fresh hairstyles, and the joyous chaos of an egg hunt. But beyond these familiar scenes, the Black community across the diaspora celebrates this springtime holiday with a rich tapestry of traditions that often carry profound cultural and historical meaning. From vibrant kite festivals to solemn reflections and delicious culinary customs, Black Easter celebrations offer a unique blend of faith, fellowship, and heritage.

Island Rhythms: Easter in the Caribbean

In the Caribbean, Easter is a time of significant celebration, particularly in Jamaica and Grenada. Velda Cummings fondly remembers Easter Sundays in Grenada filled with exciting kite-flying competitions. These weren’t store-bought kites; children crafted them from natural materials like bamboo, paper, and cocoa leaves, using fabric strips for tails. The competition was fierce, with some even adding razor blades to their kite tails to disable opponents’ creations!

Jamaica embraces Easter with a huge emphasis on food and fellowship. The iconic ‘bun and cheese’ tradition is a cornerstone, believed to have evolved from British hot cross buns introduced during slavery. Jamaican bun incorporates local flavors like molasses and spices, traditionally paired with sharp cheddar cheese. Good Friday is often marked by abstaining from meat, with fish dishes like escoveitch fish, fried fish, or fish cake being popular choices. This day is solemn, with many attending church services commemorating the hours of Jesus’s suffering. Easter Monday, also a public holiday, kicks off the vibrant Jamaica Carnival season.

Southern Comforts and City Life: Easter in the U.S.

In the United States, traditions vary, but many hold deep roots, especially in the South. Okla Jones, an entertainment editor originally from New Orleans, shares that Black communities often gather at the Lakefront on Easter Sunday after church for social outings, sometimes enjoying crawfish. Second Lines, a vibrant tradition common throughout the year, often receive an extra flourish on Easter.

Marie Hatcher reminisces about her rural North Carolina upbringing, where her grandmother always started her garden on Good Friday, planting staples like okra, green beans, and corn. Good Friday services often focused on the ‘seven last words’ of Jesus, followed by a celebratory dinner that might include fried fish and chicken. Southern Easter Sunday dinners frequently feature glazed ham, deviled eggs, and beloved soul food side dishes. A unique tradition involved parents gifting live chicks, or ‘biddies,’ to children, though these often had a short lifespan. Little girls were typically dressed in hats and gloves, and children were expected to recite memorized speeches in church.

African Celebrations: Diversity Across the Continent

Africa, a continent of immense diversity with over 50 countries, boasts a vast array of Easter traditions. In Nigeria, Easter Monday often involves picnics or beach outings for fellowship, a practice known as ‘going to Galilee’ or Galilee Day. In Liberia, a symbolic and spirited tradition involves the public beating of ‘Judas,’ the betrayer of Jesus. Children eagerly create effigies of Judas from rags and straw, parading them through the streets while chanting, ‘Judas oh Judas, who killed Jesus? Da Judas!’

Ciatta Kaul, Essence’s Chief Financial Officer, recalls her early days in Liberia, where Good Friday church services would last three hours, with different preachers discussing the seven words of the cross. These traditions highlight the deep spiritual and communal aspects of Easter celebrations across the African continent.