Lena Rivera
While kite flying is a beloved Easter tradition in Bermuda, the island also has a unique custom of breaking clay pots. On Easter, Bermudians throw clay pots filled with water from their balconies, a practice that is believed to have originated from the Venetians who threw their old belongings out of the window on New Year's Day to mark a new beginning. The breaking of the clay pots is also said to have Biblical references, symbolising God striking down His enemies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Bermuda |
| Date | Good Friday |
| Traditions | Kite flying, breaking clay pots, church, Bermuda codfish cakes, hot cross buns |
| Kite Materials | Wooden sticks, colourful paper, "hummers" tissue, wood, string |
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What You'll Learn
Clay pot-breaking tradition in Bermuda
Bermuda has a unique way of celebrating Easter, with its own special traditions. One of the most well-known is the clay pot-breaking custom. On Easter Sunday, people throw clay pots filled with water from their balconies into the centre of town, smashing them to pieces. This tradition is believed to have been influenced by a similar practice in Corfu, Greece, where residents throw clay pots to mark the New Year and scare away evil spirits.
In Bermuda, this ritual has taken on a specific Easter significance. The act of breaking the pots symbolises the divine striking down of enemies, with Biblical references. It is a spectacular sight, as thousands gather to witness the pot-breaking, standing close to the impact for a thunderous experience. Thankfully, no spectators have ever been injured by the flying shards of clay.
The Bermudians also express their creativity through kite-making and flying, a beloved Easter pastime. In the weeks leading up to Easter, locals design and craft their own kites with wooden sticks, colourful paper, and long cloth tails. Each kite is unique, adorned with intricate designs and a special tissue called "hummers," which creates a buzzing sound as the kite soars through the air.
On Good Friday, everyone gathers to fly their kites together at the annual Kite Festival, held at Horseshoe Bay Beach. The sky fills with a dazzling display of colours and buzzing sounds, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. This festival is a highlight for both participants and spectators, a true celebration of community and the joys of Easter.
In addition to these lively traditions, Bermudians also observe more solemn rituals during Easter. Many attend church services on Good Friday, followed by the preparation and sharing of traditional delicacies. Bermuda codfish cakes and English-style hot cross buns are staple dishes, with a superstition surrounding the consumption of the latter. It is believed that if a homeowner does not eat hot cross buns on Good Friday, their house will burn down. So, these buns are taken very seriously!
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The origin of the tradition
Bermuda has a unique Easter tradition of kite flying. In the weeks leading up to Good Friday, Bermudians spend time designing and creating their own kites, which they then fly on the day. The kites are made from wooden sticks, colourful paper, and intricate designs, and are topped off with a special tissue called "hummers", which makes a buzzing sound, also known as the sound of Bermudian Easter. The tradition is derived from a legend that says a teacher used a kite to show how Christ ascended into Heaven. On Good Friday, these kites fly high to commemorate Christ's Ascension.
Another Easter tradition in Bermuda is the breaking of clay pots. People celebrate the Orthodox Easter by throwing a clay pot filled with water from the balconies of their houses into the centre of the town, breaking them into pieces. This custom of breaking pots also has Biblical references, symbolizing the divine striking down of enemies.
The tradition of breaking clay pots is also observed in other parts of the world, such as the Greek island of Corfu. On Easter Saturday at 11 am sharp, residents throw clay pots and other earthenware vessels from their balconies. This tradition dates back to the 16th century when people threw all their useless and old belongings out of the window to welcome the New Year. The breaking of pots was believed to scare away evil spirits and mark a new beginning.
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Biblical reference
The breaking of clay pots during Easter celebrations in Bermuda has its roots in the Bible. This tradition symbolises the divine striking down of enemies, with clay pots being thrown from balconies and crashing in the centre of town. Though it is a thrilling spectacle, with thousands gathering to witness the thunderous sound of shattering clay, no spectator has ever been injured.
The tradition of breaking clay pots is also observed in Corfu, Greece, where residents throw old clay pots from their balconies on Easter Saturday at 11 am. This custom, which dates back to the 16th century, is believed to ward off evil spirits and signify renewal and a new beginning. Similarly, in the Philippines, Easter celebrations include processions of men and women, with the former leading an image of the resurrected Christ and the latter following a veiled Mother Mary. When the two groups meet, the veil of mourning is removed, symbolising Christ's resurrection and consolation of his mother.
In Bermuda, Easter is also marked by kite flying, with residents crafting kites from wooden sticks, colourful paper, and a special tissue called "hummers" that create a buzzing sound. This tradition is said to originate from a legend in which a teacher used a kite to demonstrate Christ's ascension to Heaven. On Good Friday, these kites fill the Bermudian sky to commemorate this ascension.
Other unique Easter traditions in Bermuda include the Bermuda Easter Parade, where participants follow a map starting from a place near the ocean, and the consumption of codfish cakes and hot cross buns. Superstition holds that if a homeowner does not eat a hot cross bun on Good Friday, their house will burn down.
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Clay pot-breaking in other countries
In Bermuda, the Easter traditions include kite flying and the breaking of clay pots. The Bermudians make their own kites with wooden sticks, colourful paper, and intricate designs. These kites are then flown at the annual Kite Festival on Good Friday.
Clay pot-breaking is also a tradition in other countries, such as the Greek island of Corfu. On Easter Saturday at 11 am, the residents of Corfu throw clay pots of all sizes from their balconies. This tradition dates back to the 16th century when people threw their useless and old belongings out of the window to welcome the New Year. The breaking of pots is believed to scare away evil spirits and mark a new beginning.
In addition to Corfu, other countries have unique Easter traditions. For example, Norway has a tradition called Påskekrimmen, where people read, watch, and listen to crime stories and detective thrillers during the Easter holidays. Sweden and some of its Scandinavian neighbours celebrate Halloween in spring, the Thursday before Easter. Children dress up as witches and go from door to door offering adults decorated willow branches in exchange for treats.
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Other Bermuda Easter traditions
Bermuda has many unique Easter traditions, including kite-making and flying, as well as special foods and community events.
One of the most cherished traditions is crafting and flying kites. In the days leading up to Good Friday, families gather to construct these delicate yet strong kites, using locally sourced materials such as bamboo, twine, wooden sticks, and brightly coloured tissue paper. Each kite is a work of art, reflecting the maker's creativity and the beauty of the island. On Good Friday, families head to their favourite beach, park, or community club to fly their kites, play traditional games, and spend quality time together. The kites are said to symbolise hope and renewal, reflecting Bermuda's heritage and bringing the community together.
Another beloved Easter tradition in Bermuda is the preparation and enjoyment of special foods. Codfish cakes are a popular delicacy, often served with English-style hot cross buns. After attending church services on Easter Sunday, locals and visitors come together for an Easter brunch featuring authentic Bermudian dishes, egg hunts for children, and visits from the Easter Bunny.
Bermuda's Easter celebrations also include community events and competitions centred around their unique kite culture. The annual Kite Festival takes place on Good Friday at Horseshoe Bay Beach, with awards for the largest, smallest, and most impressive homemade kites. Throughout the year, kite-making workshops are held, where participants learn the art of crafting these symbolic kites, passing down stories and skills from one generation to the next.
While painting clay pots is not specifically mentioned as an Easter tradition in Bermuda, the breaking of clay pots is a part of their Easter festivities. This custom involves throwing clay pots filled with water from balconies, symbolising the divine striking down of enemies and scaring away evil spirits to mark a new beginning.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but breaking clay pots is. People throw clay pots filled with water from their balconies to the center of the town, breaking them into pieces.
The custom of breaking pots has Biblical references symbolizing the divine striking down of enemies. The act of breaking pots is also thought to ward off evil spirits and mark a new beginning.
Kite flying is a popular tradition during the Easter holidays in Bermuda. People make their own kites with wooden sticks, colourful paper, and intricate designs. They also prepare and serve delicacies like codfish cakes and English-style hot cross buns.
For most inhabitants, Good Friday is the day for following traditions, going to church, and flying kites.
