Easter is one of the most important days in the history of holidays. It is mostly celebrated by Christians all over the world. According to a dictionary definition, Easter is the oldest festival of the Christian church and it is held between 21 March and 25 April. On the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox, when the length of the day is equal to the length of the night.
The day is actually about remembering the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and celebrating his resurrection from the dead. Easter trends have not differed in any way, People still use this holy day to gather with their families and friends to do different Easter activities, including planting flowers, give a Gift Basket, read Easter and spring children books and decorate an Easter egg tree or even go hiking! Easter picnics are also a great idea to celebrate the day. Even though Easter is celebrated worldwide on the same day, different nations celebrate Easter differently. Some of the Easter celebrations are extremely funny!
In South Africa, Easter is celebrated by going to church on Friday. That is called Good Friday. They hold a night vigil as a symbol of mourning the passing of Jesus Christ. There are often prayer services and other special events like eating communion bread and wine. During Easter in South Africa, people usually prepare different and special Easter dishes such as hot cross buns and fish.
In France, every year on Easter Monday, A giant omelette is made with 15, 000 fresh eggs in a 4-metre pan. The omelette is big enough to feed close to 1 000 people. While in Brazil, they create straw dolls representing Judas and hang them in the streets and beat them up.
In other places like Hungary, boys playfully sprinkle perfume, cologne or water over young women and ask for a kiss.
What is Easter without Easter egg hunts. Easter egg hunts are the most common traditions that children enjoy during Easter. The eggs are usually decorated with beautiful and colourful colours. The eggs are then displayed in trees. The eggs are usually hard boiled or artificial. They are usually stashed with candy and sometimes with money. In other places, Easter is seen as a business opportunity. Easter egg hunts are used to promote local businesses because they get to decorate the eggs themselves and sell them.
People tend to spend so much money during Easter. Buying things, they can just do them for themselves. Budgeting is always number one because before and after Easter, people need to go to work and buy a few groceries. That is where “DO IT YOURSELF” craft get in. One cannot afford to spend all their money on just celebrating a single day only. It is always advisable to think ahead to avoid going to loan sharks for Money.
Easter is a great time for going on vacations as well. There are different places that people visit during this time of the year.
BY: ZANELE MAGAGULA.
Images courtesy of Google
