Durban families share Easter traditions
If you're looking for an Easter tradition to start with your own family, perhaps you can get a few ideas from two Durban families who have shared theirs.
SUNRISE service, chomping on a copious number of marshmallow eggs and a big spread on the lunch table with family and friends are just some of the Easter traditions that families have incorporated into the religious holiday over the years.
In some countries, however, they do things differently and have a few rather bizarre traditions, such as kite flying, an Easter murder mystery reading, pretzel distributing and even clay pot throwing!
Also read: Adding a twist on traditional Easter recipes
In Bermuda, people get creative and make beautiful kites which they fly over Easter – while they fly, they make a buzzing sound which is similar to the Bermudian Easter Bunny. Wow. You learn something new every day.
The Norwegians have taken the fact that Easter sees an increase in crime and used that to their advantage to create their own murder mystery readings. The media are in on it, too, and the milkman, who prints murder stories on cartons to add to the hype.
In Durban, however, it seems we keep it low-key – just the regular Easter egg hunts, lunches, church services and of course, the good ole Easter Bunny.
Eloise Briggeman of uMhlanga and her family kick off Easter with an egg hunt. Even her hubby doesn’t know where she hides the eggs and has to join the children in the search. The tables soon turn when Briggeman has to go inside and look for her favourite chocs which the teens and her husband have hidden. Great fun for the Briggemans!
“Easter is a special season for us as a family. Being Christian, it is one of the most important dates on the calendar. After the hunt, we all sit down with a very rewarding cup of coffee and enjoy our chocolate breakfast. Then it is time to get ready for church. Some years, we enjoy the Easter sunrise service, and sometimes, we go to the later service,” she said.
“Then we come home from the service and start preparing our Easter lunch. This is when the rest of the family joins us – my siblings, grandparents and nieces and nephew. I set the table with a beautiful theme, and we all enjoy our lamb lunch together,” she added.
Alishia Mudaly of Virginia, Durban North said Easter is a time steeped in tradition and nostalgia, continuing a cherished custom from her childhood when she and her sisters would gather for an egg hunt.
“Now, as parents ourselves, we pass down the tradition to our own children, adorning ourselves in Easter finery and delighting in their infectious excitement as they search for hidden treasures. It’s a beautiful cycle of tradition and family bonding that fills our hearts with joy year after year,” she said.
However, part of the Easter Bunny’s magic involves a bit of stealth!
After the kids have drifted off to dreamland, Mudaly and hubby sneakily collect the eggs to prevent any sugar-induced chaos.
“It’s all in good fun and ensures that the excitement of the hunt doesn’t lead to a sugar overload. Plus, it adds an extra element of surprise and wonder to the morning festivities. They’re like, ‘Hey, where did all our eggs go?'” Mudaly says with a laugh.
Parents – 1, children – 0.
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