Easter in the Caribbean isn’t just a holiday—it’s a rich cultural experience steeped in history. Spanning four days from Good Friday to Easter Monday, it’s a time for spiritual reflection and family togetherness. Jamaican Easter traditions, like those in many Caribbean islands—especially across the Anglophone Caribbean—are cherished, deep-rooted customs passed down through generations. While many are joyful or symbolic today, their origins lie in Jamaica’s colonial past, shaped by missionary influence and the harsh realities of plantation life.
Here are seven fascinating Jamaican Easter traditions and the stories behind them.
1. Egg Setting (Ovamancy)
One of the more mystical Easter customs, egg setting—also known as ovamancy—takes place at sunrise on Good Friday. A raw egg white is carefully dropped into a glass of water and left in the sun. As the day progresses, the egg white takes shape, and by midday, the patterns are interpreted as omens of the future—some say they predict travel, marriage, or even death.
This rural practice combines Christian symbolism (the egg as a sign of resurrection and new life) with African-rooted divination traditions. It’s a quiet moment of introspection and possibility, particularly for those raised in the countryside.
2. Bun & Cheese
You can’t think about Easter in Jamaica without thinking about bun and cheese. This beloved tradition has its roots in British colonialism and earlier still, in ancient rituals. According to multiple sources, baked goods were originally offered in Babylon as tributes to the goddess Ishtar. The British later adopted the custom, creating hot cross buns to commemorate Good Friday, and introduced the tradition to Jamaica during colonisation.
Jamaicans, ever inventive, transformed the spiced hot cross bun into a rich, molasses-sweetened loaf bursting with dried fruit and spice. Paired with a slice of processed cheese, this treat has become the island’s unofficial Easter food. The tradition of not lighting a fire before noon on Good Friday likely contributed to its popularity—bun and cheese required no cooking.
3. Three-Hour Good Friday Mass
Church services on Good Friday are no ordinary gathering. Across Jamaica, many congregations observe the Three Hours’ Agony—a solemn service held from 12 noon to 3 p.m., believed to mark the final hours of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Introduced by Christian missionaries during the colonial era, this tradition became a central part of Easter worship. During slavery, it was one of the few times enslaved Africans were allowed to gather for worship, offering a rare moment of spiritual reflection and community.
The day was traditionally observed with strict discipline: no fires were lit, no meals cooked, and no work done, as noted in the Olive Senior Encyclopaedia of Jamaica. Though modern observances are often shorter, the tradition remains a powerful call to pause, remember, and reflect on the meaning of sacrifice and faith.
4. The Bleeding Physic Nut Tree
On Good Friday at exactly noon, it’s believed that if you cut into the Physic Nut tree’s trunk, it will “bleed” a thick, red sap—symbolising the blood of Christ shed during the crucifixion. This powerful image has made the tree a sacred emblem of sacrifice and redemption, particularly within rural communities where traditional beliefs remain strong.
This lore was notably recorded by American anthropologist and folklorist Martha Beckwith during her research in Jamaica in the 1920s. She documented accounts from locals who swore the tree only “bled” at Easter. In his book “Bush Doctor”, herbalist Sylvester Ayre echoes this belief, referring to the tree as the Crucifixion Tree and stating that its sap has long been associated with the passion of Christ—some even claiming that the original cross was made from physic wood.
In addition to its religious symbolism, the Physic Nut is valued for its medicinal and practical uses, including treatment for inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments.
5. No Beach on Good Friday
Ask any Jamaican elder and they’ll warn you—don’t go to the beach on Good Friday. The longstanding superstition says you’ll turn into a fish, or worse, that something tragic could happen. While it may sound far-fetched, this belief reflects the solemnity of the day.
Christian doctrine regards Good Friday as a time of mourning and reverence, and many Jamaicans still abstain from swimming or engaging in any form of revelry until Easter Sunday.
6. Kite Flying
Nothing captures the joy of Easter in Jamaica quite like kite flying. The skies fill with colourful, handmade kites crafted from bamboo, paper, and string, soaring high above hillsides and open fields.
The tradition is deeply symbolic—representing the resurrection and ascension of Christ, as well as hope, freedom, and spiritual upliftment. On Easter Monday, the celebration peaks with kite festivals across the island, drawing families and tourists alike for a day of fun and fellowship.
Pickney Chrismus : A welcome respite for slaves
Did you know? Long before it was widely known as Easter, enslaved Africans in Jamaica referred to the short break as Pickney Chrismus—a rare day of rest during the intense crop-over season when sugar cane was harvested.
According to the Olive Senior Encyclopaedia of Jamaica, “The holiday probably did not become generally known among the slaves as Easter until well into the missionary era in Jamaica, perhaps by the beginning of the 19th century.”
During this time, churches—which were usually closed to the enslaved population—briefly opened their doors. For children, it became a joyful moment of freedom. The name Pikni Chrismus captures the spirit of that fleeting liberation, long before missionary influence reframed it as a Christian Easter celebration
Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present
Jamaica’s Easter traditions are more than charming customs—they’re windows into our history. A blend of African spirituality, European religious influence, and local resilience, these practices mirror similar ones across the Caribbean, from Guyana’s kite-flying to the Bahamas’ “bleeding” trees.
Whether you’re enjoying bun and cheese, flying a kite, or quietly remembering the meaning of the season, may your Easter be a time of reflection, joy, and connection with those you love.
Happy Easter from Jamaicans.com.
