Its not Easter time in Jamaica if...

Ahhh its good ole time easter again. Traditionally though if traditions, myths, beliefs, practices of this time in Jamaica is not discussed, it doesnt feel like that good ole time Easter where we celebrate the Rock of Ages, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who clefts for us as humanity.

Easter hymns make us cry… Easter myths make us go HUH? Lots of Jamaicans however swear by them.

Its perhaps the only holiday where we do some things unique as Jamaicans. We do the Easter bunny, Easter bun, and chocolate thing like USA.. but seriously we go much more than Easter lilies. Here are a few:

EASTER SERVICE:
Even the seasoned club goer is not settled in his mind without settling in for a good Easter morning service. In Jamaica, special services are traditionally held on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The Sunday before a palm service is held in some denominations. Either way these are usually very long by tradition.

EASTER DIET:
Don’t forget the eating of sprat fish and bread on Good Friday to commemorate the two loaves and five fishes Jesus used to multiply and feed the multitudes.

EASTER EGGS
Sure Jamaicans are getting caught up in decorating and hiding eggs for God knows why. Real Jamaicans opt for real traditions, like setting an egg to predict one’s future.
Simply place an egg white in a container of water on Holy Thursday night by Good Friday you will see your future. Some Jamaicans claim they have seen aircraft for traveling and even casket for dying.. Hmm I wonder!

EASTER TREE: Physic nut tree
Cut this tree if you have access at 12noon on Good Friday and you are according to Jamaicans expected to see a red sap like blood oozing out. Of course Jamaicans associate this with forgiveness through the red blood of the dyinng Jesus Christ.

EASTER BUN
How did we wind up eating all this bun and cheese at Easter as Jamaicans.. HMMM… I wonder.

Here’s a recipe for Jamaican buns at Easter time for like Christmas with Christmas cake baking, Jamaicans pride themselves in the Easter buns they make.

MAKING Easter Bun

Preparation: 20 minutes Baking Time: 1 hour Yield: 9 slices 1 bottle Dragon stout

INGREDIENTS
1/2 tbsp. browning
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. molasses
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp. guava jelly
2 tbsps. soft margarine
3 cups counter flour
3 tsps. baking powder
3-4 tsps. mixed spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup mixed peel
1/2 cup cherries

METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 160º C.
2. Warm stout on very low flame and add browning, sugar, molasses, honey, guava jelly and melted margarine.
3. Stir until dissolved.
4. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and spice.
5. Add chopped fruits to mixture (4).
5. Add liquid to flour mixture, stirring until properly mixed.
6. Bake in a greased loaf pan 29 cm x 12 cm x 6 cm.
7. Allow to cool, then glaze with melted margarine and honey.

Note: Strawberry preserve can be substituted for guava jelly.
Note: Raisins are to be soaked before combining with the other ingredients or the baked bun will be dry.

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