Chae-Marie Cooper looks at how Trinis celebrate Easter
Easter is celebrated all around the world but there are some things that make Easter celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago special. The beating of the Good Friday Bobolee, kite competitions, the natural beauty of the poui and the religious journeys up San Fernando Hill are just a few ways Trinbagonians spend this long weekend holiday time.
Every Easter the story of the crucifixion of Christ is told. In this story Judas betrayed Christ for thirty pieces of silver. For decades communities around the country have their own representation of Judas called a “Bobolee.” This Bobolee is usually in the form of a popular figure in the country or community. Some communities in south Trinidad even have competitions where the person with the best Bobolee wins. When the competition is over however all the little boys and even some of the older men come out and beat the Bobolee until it is unrecognizable. It is usually hung on a pole or from a tree and is beaten until it falls down.
This year 20 year old Christopher Grant of Princes Town said that he would be making a Bobolee called crime. He said that crime affects not only him but his friends and family on a daily basis and this is his way of showing his frustration. For some however like 11 year old Jordan Ramcharan he simply enjoys beating the stuffed figure with his friends.
Apart from Good Friday people also enjoy other activities over the long weekend. At this time many kite flying competitions are organized around the country. Radio 90.5 for example is having its 12th annual National Kite Flying Competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Sunday with a first prize of $1000. The competition compromises of different categories like Best Madbull, most colourful kite, best Cheekle Chong, Best 90.5 FM Kite and best Newsday Kite. The family event usually attracts thousands. With live entertainment, a play park and fun games it has become an Easter tradition for many.
Catholics also have their own tradition. Every year Catholics from south journey to San Fernando Hill where a re enactment of the crucifixion of Christ is performed. The event which is televised draws a large crowd of persons not only of the Catholic faith but some who simply wants to observe. 
Apart from traditions there are certain signs that tell you Easter is approaching, like the flowering of the Yellow Poui. The beautiful flower which usually grows when trees are in close proximity has become part of Easter for many little girls. The flowers which falls leaving a yellow mat beneath the tree they say are used to make jewellery and decorate their mud cakes.
Trinidad and Tobago has a very rich culture where there are numerous tales and myths. Some of those myths are still around today like on Good Friday if you bathe in the sea you turn into a mermaid and you should not eat meat on Good Friday. And so, on that day, many homes cook provision and fish of some kind. Many also believe that because Easter is about the death of Christ it is a sad and solemn time and so most persons who are attending church usually wear mild or pastel colours.
For persons who don’t have Easter traditions they usually simply go to the beach and others use the time to spend with their family at home.
Although Easter is one of the most important events on the Christian calendar for many businesses it is also another money making opportunity. Leading up to Easter time there is usually an influx of chocolates in the shape of bunny rabbits and eggs. It has become so common that they are now known as Easter Bunnies and Easter Eggs. Many businesses at this time of year decorate their establishment with baskets of Easter eggs and huge stuffed Easter bunnies. While this can be done by the owners or workers themselves larger establishments like some of the leading Malls in the country usually pay a decorator to dress the mall. At Gulf City mall La Romaine a huge arrangement greets you as you enter. These decorations usually cost the malls thousands of dollars, they however make a lot more in turn as the mall is the venue for its annual Easter Bonnet competition which attracts scores of people.
Malls however are not the only ones that benefit from such events. Little girls who partake in these events usually model dresses with elaborate head pieces and baskets. Seamstress and tailors also benefit a lot from Easter as their job is to design and create the winning creations which can run from anywhere between $500 to $1000. Some businesses like furniture stores also have their own little comp
etitions and promotions which are accompanied by advertisements for example the popular Standard’s advertisement with comedian Rachel Price which is ran every year at this time to boost sales. One business however says they are not really affected by Easter. Sharon’s Photo Studio and Magic Moment Photo Studio saidthat while there are lots of Easter Bonnet competitions in schools and churches because of the introduction of digital cameras it is very rare that they get a job to cover these events.
Apart from businesses many promoters use this time and long weekend to host events like Annual Easter Sports and parties.
At Easter time many bakeries sell hot cross buns. Over the years it has become traditional in many homes to have hot cross buns on Good Friday morning. These buns cost as much as $20 a dozen and are usually in such high demand that bakeries say orders are made in advance for them. From decorations, to competitions, to food and entertainment Easter like many other holidays has become another money making opportunity.
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