Easter is arguably the most important religious holiday for Christians worldwide, and, as Jamaica is still a predominantly Christian nation, Easter plays an important role in local culture.

For Jamaicans, the Easter period is often viewed as Christmas in March (or April).

This is due to the fact that, just like Christmas, in Jamaica, the Easter holiday is synonymous with food, family, friends and religion.

Among the things popular among Jamaicans to do during Easter are:

1. Eat Easter Bun and Cheese

The tradition of indulging in Easter bun and cheese during the Easter holiday is one that has been passed down from generation to generation.

The practice is one with British origins, adopted by islanders during colonisation.

In the United Kingdom, small, round, and slightly sweet buns, called hot cross buns, were made with a cross cut into the tops and traditionally eaten during Easter.

This practice made its way to Jamaican shores when Britain colonised the island and, over time, Jamaicans put their own spin on the custom and variations of hot cross buns were made and sold in Jamaica, with the same tradition of eating it during Easter.

2. Go to Church

Since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are the foundation of the Easter season, as a religious society, Jamaica incorporates the observance of a number of religious activities.

In observance of Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter Sunday), Jamaican churches hold a number of special services in recognition of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Despite this, the main event is usually Easter Sunday as it celebrates the resurrection of Christ and often features regular churchgoers and party-goers alike visiting their local churches for worship.

3. Attend Parties

For the less religious, the long weekend that the Easter holiday provides is a prime opportunity for revelry and gallivanting.

In some parishes individuals ring in the Easter holiday by attending a series of parties that begin as early as the Thursday before Good Friday and continue until Easter Monday.

4. Host Family Gatherings

Much like Christmas, religious activities aside, Easter is a time for family.

With such a long break from work and school, the Easter holidays are the perfect occasion to host a family gathering or get together.

Family and friends usually gather to enjoy good food and play games such as ludo, dominos and cards.

5. Plan a Beach Trip

Ordinarily, as a country surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, Jamaicans rarely if ever need a reason to visit the beach.

Nonetheless, on a public holiday making a trip to the beach has become a staple activity in many Jamaican households.

For individuals who do not live close to any of the island’s water bodies, beach trips are an activity often planned well in advance and feature bus loads of locals from various parishes.