Easter in Barbados

It is Easter In Barbados!

It is April, and in this year 2022, Easter events and celebrations are on the list of things to do in Barbados. The calendar is diverse with traditions that have become woven into the fabric of cultural Barbadiana (things Barbadian) and practiced for centuries.

The religious tradition of Easter will be celebrated in a four-day holiday from Friday April 15th to Monday April 18th.

Oistins Fish Festival

Labelled the biggest community event, this annual affair is held in the historic fishing village of Oistins. The festival is a folk-centric event inaugurated in Easter of 1967. It is meant to honour those who work in the fishing industry.

Traditionally, this vibrant fishing town has always been a hub for buying and preparing of fish on the beach and within the confines of the market. Over time this area has grown in popularity, especially for its food. Both locals and visitors alike come to share in these palate stimulating experiences. During the week, but especially on Friday nights, Oistins is alive with food and music. The buzz in the atmosphere is palpable. Chatter and laughter punctuate the fresh air, while a swift north-eastern trade wind sweeps along the tantalizing smells of local cuisine.

However, during the Fish Festival, in addition to the culinary delights on offer, there are more traditional activities like the Fish Boning Competition, Grease Pole Contest, Celebrity Cook Off, Strong Man Competition, as well as displays of local arts and crafts, just to name a few.

Kite Flying in Barbados

A traditional sport of the ages, kite flying, is another local custom that Barbadians observe at Easter. The strong winds at this time of year are very favourable to kite flying. From the start of the year, just as the winds start to increase, kite making begins. Kites range from the simple to the elaborate and are made in many different shapes, styles and sizes. On any open field, or “pasture” as Bajans would say, kite flying is the activity of villages and communities. On Easter Monday bank-holiday, the atmosphere at the Garrison Savannah would be jubilant as
people gather to watch the Kite Flying Competition.

So, if you are here on the island during the month of April, Lickrish Food Tours urges you to get out and enjoy the celebrations, and experience Easter like a Bajan!

Written by: Claudette Levi-Farnum
A Barbadian Historian

Photo credit: Loop News Barbados