Exploring Easter traditions in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Easter is celebrated in St Vincent and the Grenadines and like every country has its traditions, as it marks the holiest period on the Christian calendar.  

While you would see easter egg hunts and private parties, there are Vincentians who will engage in Easter traditions such as attending church, kite flying and camping. 

Loop News spoke with Demion McTair, Founder of SVG One News and Junior Lecturer at the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC) and Senior Lecturer Ms Laferne Browne, to find out more about how Vincentians celebrate Easter. 

Church 

Across the world, Christians celebrate Easter by attending church to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Christianity is the dominant religion in St Vincent and the Grenadines, which means for Easter, most Christians still hold onto the tradition of attending church on Good Friday. Vincentians also attend church on Easter Sunday. Loop was told traditionally, people who don’t usually go to church throughout the year will be present for Easter, so attendance will be high. 

Kite Flying  

Kite flying is a major pastime in St Vincent and the Grenadines for both young and old at Easter with competitions reemerging for enthusiasts to feature traditional kites. Children in different communities during the Easter vacation will make their own kites from scratch using coconut fiber, plastic bags and different materials.  

Parties in the Grenadines  

While Easter is a solemn time for some, many mainlanders from St Vincent head across to the Grenadines, Bequia and Union Island for the long Easter weekend to attend parties, wet fetes, boat racing and regattas.

Onshore and offshore activities are held particularly at the Bequia Easter Regatta and the Union Island Easterval Celebrations.   

Some people enjoy river limes or visit the Owia Salt Pond. 

On the opposite end, churches will organise trips to areas away from the fetes. Congregations will be taken to picnic or camp at beaches, waterfalls or hike the La Soufriere Volcano. 

Food  

Popular worldwide, a tradition still followed in St Vincent and the Grenadines is the eating of Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday. Loop was told sometimes these buns will be eaten all day.

For most Roman Catholics in St Vincent, on Good Friday they do not eat until evening time and that meal would either be fish based, meaning no meat, or contain no fish at all. The types of fish consumed include cod, smoked herring and mackerel. 

This will be usually paired with either ground provisions, roasted or steamed breadfruit, and dumplings made with baking powder or coconut. 

Superstitions  

Many countries have their own superstitions around the Easter Season and St Vincent and the Grenadines is no different. On Good Friday long ago Vincentians would be told not to cut a tree because it might bleed a red substance. This superstition has similar roots in other Caribbean Islands related to the physic nut tree.  

While beach outings are popular during the Easter vacation, some Vincentians still hold onto the belief that it’s not wise to visit the beach as ‘the sea takes people during Easter.’ 

Traditionally, businesses are closed on Good Friday. St Vincent and the Grenadines also enjoys the four day long weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday.