Top 5: Barbadian Easter Traditions

Easter is upon us already and in Barbados we do have some specific Easter traditions which you may have noticed! See our Top 5 traditions below! 

Barbadian Easter Tradition 1. Kite Flying: This pastime can be done all year round, but it is on Easter that kite flying becomes popular! You will see vendors on the side of the road selling colourful, vibrant kites to kids and adults as they get ready for their Easter flying. Note that there are only certain places which you can fly your kite in Barbados! On Easter Monday there is a Easter Kite Flying Competition at the Garrison Savannah where there are prizes for the largest to smallest to most unusual kite! 

Barbadian Easter Tradition 2. Oistins Fish Festival: Every Easter in Barbados there is the Oistins Fish Festival which is held in the small fishing village Oistins. This festival is enjoyed by many for the entire Easter weekend, with the main event of the festival being the Fish Boning Competition, which is very competitive and an essential art form to the fishing industry. 

Barbadian Easter Tradition 3. Easter Sunday Lunch: As you know, Sunday lunches are a large part of the Barbadian culture so you can imagine what an Easter Sunday lunch would be like. It is filled with traditional Barbadian cuisine such as flying fish, cou cou, peas and rice, stew and much more! Not only is the day about food, but it is about enjoying it with family and of course attending church that day.

Barbadian Easter Tradition 4. Good Friday: Bajans believe that it is bad luck to go swimming in the ocean on Good Friday. We also do not eat red meat on Good Friday as it is the day of Crucifixion and red meat symbolizing blood. In Barbados, many eat and enjoy our local fish whether it be mahi mahi or flying fish. 

Barbadian Easter Tradition 5. Hot Cross Buns: The smell of Hot Cross Buns mean Easter is here! They are traditionally eaten on Good Friday but why not have them all Easter? The icing cross on the top of the buns signifies the crucifixion.

We hope you all enjoy a lovely Easter weekend! Look out for our updates on Instagram as to what we will be doing for Easter!