Easter Sunday Holiday Music and praises with Rula Brown

Easter in Jamaica is a very popular time of year. The holiday was introduced to the island around the 17th century by the Europeans who brought with them their religion, Christianity. During the slavery period, the enslaved Africans were given a day off in observance of this Easter holiday. However, it was not until the 19th century, when missionaries were active in the island, that the slaves really referred to the holiday as Easter and understood its significance.

In Jamaica over the years, the one-day holiday grew to be a four to five day observance, beginning with Holy Thursday and continuing until the following Monday, known as Easter Monday. Some Christian denominations use this time to observe the death and resurrection of Christ.

Like any other holiday, Easter is associated with several traditions. Probably the most common feature of Easter in Jamaica is the eating of bun and cheese. Easter buns in Jamaica are made with lots of spices, dried fruits and stout. The dough is shaped in the form of a loaf, which when baked, is wrapped in cellophane paper and sometimes packed in decorative boxes.