In the UK, Easter is deeply associated with the religious holiday, school breaks and of course, lots of chocolate. However across the world there are a number of unique and colourful celebrations tied to the secular date on the calendar – join us as we take a look at how the holiday is observed around the globe.
Europe
A continent with widespread activity throughout the Easter period, there are a number of variations on the general theme.
Starting with Italy, solemn religious processions known as Pasqua are undertaken before joyous celebrations on Easter Sunday, featuring a mass led by the Pope himself, complete with a large cross set alight.
Germany follows suit with similarly flammable festivities in areas of the country in the form of the Osterrad, a wooden wheel filled with straw that is subsequently set alight and rolled down hills. Additionally, the country celebrates ‘Gründonnerstag’ or ‘Green Thursday’, a day on which it is traditional to eat – you guessed it – something green.
Moving east to Poland, traditions veer in a different direction, in which participants (usually men) soak others (usually women) with buckets of water. Nowadays, the practice has evolved into a country-wide water fight.
For northern Europe, chocolate reenters the fold in a significant way. Not unlike Western Halloween celebrations, Scandinavian youngsters will dress up as witches, knocking on the doors of their neighbours in the hope of receiving their favourite confectionery.
Asia
While you’ll find incredible religious diversity across Asia, it also features some of the most visceral examples of Easter celebrations.
Take the Philippines – among its Catholic population, some will take the opportunity to be ‘crucified’ on Good Friday in a display watched by huge crowds, will be flagellated with bamboo before being quite literally nailed to a cross. Unsurprisingly, the practice has been condemned by the church.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand share many of the same Easter traditions as the United Kingdom and United States, with the usual paraphernalia in the form of chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, but with Australia comes with a subtle difference. Rabbits are eschewed in favour of the native bilby, a small but endangered marsupial (of arguably equal sweetness).
Africa
Across such a large continent, it’s unsurprising that celebrations vary considerably. In many ways similar to what’s found across the world, family time and food play a large part of traditions, but in East Africa, gifting is also prioritised. Generally focused on those in particular need and at societal disadvantage, the tradition aims to provide support for the likes of single parents and school children with illnesses, with gifts including Easter eggs, books, clothes, and more.
Perhaps one of the most notable examples of Easter tradition to be found on the continent is in Ethiopia, where the 55 days in the lead up to Easter are given to fasting, in a tradition known as Faskia. More widely observed than Christmas, participants traditionally avoid meat and other animal products for the duration before more vibrant celebrations on Easter itself take place.
South America
With a majority Catholic population, Easter is unsurprisingly very widely celebrated throughout South America, with a multitude of unique and vibrant celebrations taking place.
In Colombia, the capital city of Bogota celebrates with a pilgrimage through the city, covering a variety of religious monuments and buildings, while the nearby city of Zipaquirá’s famous Salt Cathedral is visited by many for Easter Sunday mass.
In Peru, Maundy Thursday is considered to be the most important day in the Easter week, as it marks a remembrance for an earthquake that hit the city of Cusco. All but the city’s cathedral were destroyed, and the service is held there to this day.
For Ecuadorians, a dish consisting of 12 different grains alongside fish and beans is eaten, with each grain symbolising one of each of the apostles.
