Whe' De Bun?

Many Christian countries have their Easter traditions. Jamaica has a few that are still well-known and followed.

On tradition is to put the white of an egg out on Holy Thursday night and to see what shape it has taken after the sun has risen on Good Friday morning and cooked it. After several hours, some older person will come to 'read' the egg. The shape of the egg will indicate future, for example, a ship or plane may signal travel.

One myth is that if you cut a physic nut tree (see its properties) at midday on Good Friday its sap runs red, while the rest of the year it is milky. It is believed that Jesus was crucified on such a tree.

The origin of eating bun or small cakes can go back to several ancient practices. In England, there are hot cross buns, with its not so subtle symbolism. In Jamaica, the eating of a larger spicy bun with (processed) cheese is the norm. For many people, this allowed people to eat without making a fire, which was not supposed to be lit before 3pm (when Jesus was supposed to have been brought down from the cross). Some parts of the country, like St. Elizabeth, where my mother came from, still make small 'hand' buns, which tend to not have fruits inside.

Many people do not eat meat during the 40 day Lenten period, and at the very least always eat fish on Good Friday, and some do not cook on that day (having prepared beforehand). But, fish,done many ways (fried, roasted, steamed, grilled, escoveitched and jerked) is very popular and is the main staple of nearly every household.

In Barbados, where I have never spent Easter, one good friend, tells me that church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday are musts, so too is a big lunch on that day to celebrate. For today, people are not supposed to go into the sea; she does not know why, but just grew up with that tradition.

Anyway, we will be having picnics, and flying kites and going to carnivals and all sorts of things, I know. Or, just resting that body that always seems tired. Some one just brought me some potato pudding (I was excited when he said it was duckunoo) and a plate of fresh papaya, water melon and bananas. So, my own cooling out continues.