When I hear the word EASTER all I see are bunnies and eggs! But where does the word Easter come from? And what’s with the association with eggs and bunnies? According to a 6th century author the English word “Easter” is derived from Eostre, or Eostrae, which is the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.
Most South Africans get really excited when April arrives because of the influx of public holidays including the Easter weekend (April 7-10).
I didn’t know this but the Easter Monday public holiday, is a public holiday in 116 nations throughout the world, including Australia, Egypt, Spain, Hong Kong, Kenya and Russia.
READ MORE: Reasons not to gift a live bunny for Easter
Easter traditions around the world:
Breaking fast with vegan cuisine in Ethiopia
Easter, like other holidays, is associated with food and drinks. But in Ethiopia, this is not the rule. People in Ethiopia observe a period of fasting similar to Lent. During those days meat and animal products are totally off-limits.
Grab your kite and head to Bermuda
In Bermuda, Good Friday is an eventful day. And is know as the Good Friday KiteFest. Bold colourful kites fly across Horseshoe Bay Beach and everyone who has a kite can join in on the fun. Hopefully it’s a windy day, otherwise…awkward. Legend has it that a local Sunday school teacher started this tradition many moons ago.
Hunt real bunnies in New Zealand
‘The Great Easter Bunny Hunt’ takes place annually in Otago, New Zealand. The goal of this hunt is to get rid of farmland ‘invasive pests’. More than 500 eager hunters take their shot at the grand prize of 3500NZ dollars. Not to dictate how you should feel about this tradition, but more than 10,000 rabbits die during this traditional occasion.
Not chocolate – but real eggs – in France
If you like cooking up an omelette you’ll love being in Haux, France on Easter Monday. More than 4500 eggs are cracked and cooked to make the world biggest omelette – big enough to feed 1000 people! Families crack the eggs at home and come together in the main square to cook and enjoy the meals.
Crime time in Norway
Personally this is my favourite just because I am a thriller bookworm. In Norway, during the weeks leading up to Easter, TV channels run promotions of crime shows and new detective novels that are set to be released before the holiday.
Because of the beautiful natural scenery in Norway, Easter is a great opportunity for citizens, to escape to their cabins in the mountains for their fix of thriller crime TV shows and books. This has been a popular tradition since 1923 – jealous!
READ MORE: Planning the perfect (last-minute) Easter getaway
