I miss the soda bottles we had growing up; the ones from Desnoes & Geddes that we would store for months, enough to fill a crate or two so we could exchange them for brand new sodas at Easter. We have become much more health conscious these days, essentially taking the fun out of it, but no drink goes better with bun and cheese like an icy cold D & G soda. My favourite flavours were pineapple and kola champagne, but they were all great! I think they were nicer in the glass bottles by the way. Don’t argue with me. LOL!
My social media friends are familiar with my twice a year countdowns; my birthday and Christmas. I was born on Good Friday, and it is one of the main reasons I love Spring and Easter. But that date isn’t fixed, so my birthday falls on Good Friday every few years but is generally around Easter. It’s the reason my grandmother called me ‘Cruci’. This year it happens on Easter Sunday. Close enough!
I would also look forward to the crucifixion movie, during which I would shed a tear once they began to taunt the character playing Jesus until his death. You can tell I watched Passion of the Christ. Gory! But I also enjoyed the full line-up of ‘Bible shows’ with other characters like Samson, David and Goliath, Moses, Daniel, Joseph, etc. I watched them all day on Good Friday. The older I grew, the less interested I was. I guess I have seen them all. Plus, is it me or have the shows declined over the years? I haven’t seen much of them being aired on local TV.
A big part of Jamaica’s Easter tradition is the advertising. It's the only time Jamaicans love bun. Long before I entered the marketing profession, I love advertisements, especially the Easter ones. Many of us grew up watching Michael Landon play ‘Boysie’ in the Whitfield Bakery ads. It was undoubtedly the number one Easter ad. With Joan Andrea Hutchinson and Oliver Samuels added, you could say the commercial had star power. The HTB jingle was a close second but has outlived ‘Boysie’. It brings back beautiful nostalgic memories when we hear ‘When you’re buying Easter bun, look out for HTB…’. Aaawww…I know you sing along just like I do. Maxfield Easter Bun commercials featuring Glen ‘Titus’ Campbell were also a hit.
The Easter bun competition is stiff because Jamaicans at home and abroad don’t play about their buns. I should congratulate the baking companies on giving more value for money nowadays with the boxed buns. Attractively packaged as they were back then, one would be very disappointed on opening it because the bun was lost in there. We essentially paid for the box! But in recent years, this has improved greatly. Others have entered the rather lucrative bun ring these days and are holding their own. Big up Yummy and Miss Birdie! Although, except for some additional raisins, National hardly tastes different at Easter. Still, the bran option is a great addition for people like me who are likely to over-indulge.
Just how did Jamaicans make a pastry the main feature of Easter? According to The Gleaner newspaper, the Jamaican Easter bun is a descendant of the hot cross bun from Britain (pictured above). These buns were traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus. The tradition made its way to Jamaica when they colonised the island in the mid-1600s. Over time, the bun transitioned from the round-ish shape into a loaf, molasses was substituted for honey and dried fruits were added to the batter to make it uniquely ours – and no doubt, much yummier.
And let us not forget Tastee Cheese, the world’s best! When we shake that cheese from the tin, it stops short of heaven! Freshly cut and sliced Tastee Cheese…mm mm mm! Not to be outdone on the Easter commercials…‘Mi jos love my Tastee Cheese. Mi all dream bout mi Tastee Cheese. Easter a come so mi afi get bun fi go wid mi Tastee Cheese!’ Did you sing it? LOL!
Some Jamaicans love to add fried fish, especially sprat to their Easter menu. As such, the fish prices tend to go up around this time. But Jamaicans ‘no watch money’ Easter and Christmas. Tomorrow will take care of itself. I have often heard of ‘fish and bun’. My father swore by it, but I am yet to get around to this combo. Gimme di cheese!
In other cultures, the Easter egg is a thing, especially for children who enjoy the egg hunt. But in Jamaica, we use the egg to foretell the future. The white of an egg is placed in a glass of water prior to the sun rising on Good Friday. As the sun rises, a pattern is formed by the egg white, for instance, of a ship or aircraft or a coffin. It's believed that this is indicative of what will happen in the future of the person who set the egg white - travel or death. I will pass on this one! Nope!
All roads lead to ‘country’ during a Jamaican Easter; whether it be family visits or North Coast parties, nobody really wants to be in Kingston. The capital city is just not happening at Easter.
Before we know it, it will be Tuesday and we will be back to reality. But what a glorious status to be Jamaican. Jamaica nice! Cheers to the long weekend and stay safe!
P.S. Eat the bun and drink some cerassee next week wash it out. :)
I am Suzette Campbell
Note: Originally published on April 16, 2022
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