Easter celebrations continue

Apr 20, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

In Guyana and in many other Western nations, Easter is celebrated every year by mostly Christians who believe that Jesus’ death and resurrection are to forgive them of their sins. It is celebrated with a blend of religious traditions and vibrant cultural festivities, with kite flying being a particularly prominent and symbolic activity. It is also a time for family gatherings, feasting, and spiritual reflection, as well as a chance to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Along with the Nativity of Christ, Easter is one of the most important, blissful and joyous celebrations in the Christian calendar in Guyana. It is when Christians glorify and give thanks for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Easter is preceded by Lent, forty days of fasting, praying and meditating, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Most, if not all, Christians believe in the Holy Book—the Bible- which tells them that Good Friday commemorates Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, death and burial, and Easter Sunday is the celebration of his resurrection. It is the culmination of their Passion for Christ, which reinforces the belief that Christians can have an eternal home in heaven. It strengthened the Christian belief that Christ is the Son of God, whose crucifixion on the cross was a sacrifice of his love and the price he paid and the suffering he endured for humanity. Christians also believed that Christ’s death offers hope for the future, both in their life on earth and in eternity–heaven. Christians view Jesus’ death as a sacrificial act on behalf of humanity, offering atonement for sins and paving the way for salvation and reconciliation with God. For them, it was not just a tragic event, but a pivotal moment in God’s plan for humanity, a demonstration of love, forgiveness, and victory over death.

The Easter tradition in Guyana is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated eggs, Easter egg hunts, the baking of cross buns on Holy Thursday and church services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which symbolized the joy and happiness felt by Christians. Easter Monday, which is a holiday in Guyana and most Commonwealth countries, including Canada, but not in the United States, is also reserved for kite flying, picnics, family gatherings and bonding throughout the country. On this day, many, if not most Guyanese from all walks of life, will fly kites on the sea walls, at No. 63 Beach on the Corentyne, in backyards, and in open parks and savannahs around the country. The skies will be littered with kites of all sizes, colours, styles and shapes. Kite flying is integral to Easter celebrations in Guyana, and it is every child’s dream to partake in it. It is a spirited, fun-loving and relaxing activity that is peaceful and stress-free and with lots to eat and drink, including “hot cross buns” traditionally eaten on Good Friday to symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The spices on top of the bun represent what was used to embalm him, and the fruit/raisins in the dough signify his body in the tomb.

Studies have shown that the flying of kites dates back more than 2000 years. Though the exact date is not known, it is believed that the flying of kites first took place in Shandong, the most eastern province in China. We are told that a Chinese farmer in the Shandong province tied a string to his hat to prevent it from blowing far away from him due to high winds. The hat was blown into the air, where the high wind swayed it back and forth. Emerging from this experience was the flying of the first kite known to mankind. The Chinese made the first kite from bamboo which was used for the frame, and covered it with silk and paper to make it light for flying.

The earliest known Chinese kites were flat and rectangular in shape. Some were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary Chinese figures; others were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying. Ancient and medieval Chinese sources have claimed that kites were used for measuring distances, testing the direction and the strength of the wind, signalling, and as a communication mechanism for military operations. The Chinese military used kites for dropping propaganda leaflets over enemy territories to warn them of an impending attack. From China, kites were introduced to Cambodia, Thailand, India, Japan, Korea and some western countries. The most famous kite in history was created in 1750 in the United States and flown by Benjamin Franklin during a rainstorm to prove that lightning bolts were indeed caused by electricity.

In Guyana, the flying of kites is a happy occasion for most Guyanese, and while many will travel to meet friends and relatives and to share in the fun and excitement with them, there will be heightened police presence in all the communities to ensure their safety and to prevent accidents and traffic fatalities on the highways. Drivers are warned to exercise caution, avoid speeding and not to drink alcohol and drive. Pedestrians are also warned to be careful when using the roads. Residents are also advised to use every precaution necessary to ensure their valuables are secured, and when possible, they should travel in groups. The message of Easter is one of hope, faith, devotion and the appreciation of life, the possibility of an afterlife and the triumph of good over evil, love instead of hatred, endurance and adversity. We must rise to the occasion as we celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

Sincerely,

Dr. Asquith Rose

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