This Easter weekend in Guyana,my homeland,thousands of people,young and old will turn out to fly kites.It is a vivid kaleidescope of color and light,a warm,friendly family outing that give many children an important bonding experience with their parents.
I have been unable to find the origins of this national event in Guyana. None of the neighboring countries in South America and the Caribbean have similar mass kite flying. It has been suggested that Guyanese kite flying is their way of celebrating the risen Christ.In multi-cultural Guyana Kite flyers are not only Christian but Muslim and Hindu.Our nation of six peoples have among them people who originally came from China and India--two countries which have long kite flying traditions.
In Jamaica, where I lived for many years, Easter is associated with bun and cheese eating.The Easter Bun is loaf sized and spicy. Our minds have tremendous associative power.Easter brings images of kite flying,Palm Sunday processions,Hot Cross Buns, Good Friday Fish meals and Jamaican Easter Buns. This is a fusion of my years in Guyana and Jamaica.
Guyanese hot cross buns are small and round with a cross on them.I guess we inherited them from our British masters.As Easter Weekend kite flying is unique to Guyana so are Jamaican Easter Buns which, as far as I know ,are only available in Jamaica or in large Jamaican communities.
My mind goes back to the 80's when I watched in fascination as our 'helper' Maureen made Easter Buns. It was a production that included stout,raisins,eggs,mixed spice,nutmeg and cinnamon.Jamaican Easter Buns are traditionally eaten with processed cheese available in large cans.
My childhood memories of kite flying Kite Flying in Guyana are of getting up at 5 a.m to be ready by six o'clock so that we could get a good space on the sea wall that protected the city of Georgetown from the Atlantic. My mind dredges up snap shots of a stark blue sky filled with many thousands of colorful dots swaying in the Atlantic breezes. Thre are other shots of long kite tails sky dancing,buzzing falling kites, the thrill of reeling out twine,hoisting kites,tangled twine and kite tails.
Many societies claim to be the first kite flyers -China,India and the South pacific islanders are among the most persistent claimers.The most famous kite flying story I know is about is Ben Franklin's experiment to prove that lightning is electricity by flying a kite in a storm. Please don't attempt to replicate this dangerous experiment!
This Easter Guyanese around the world will bond if you mention kite flying.For Jamaicans wherever they live Easter will not be Easter without bun and cheese.Simple images,everyday actions that bring people together making them feel special.
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