As Easter approaches, Jamaicans living abroad start to feel a tug at their heartstrings—an innate craving for the flavors and festivities that define the season back home. The essence of a Jamaican Easter is steeped in tradition, community, and, of course, the irreplaceable culinary delights. Whether you’re miles away from the island or nestled in a city with a vibrant Jamaican population, bringing a piece of home into your Easter celebrations is essential. Here’s how Jamaicans infuse Easter with that unmistakable Jamaican spirit, no matter where in the the world they find themselves.                 

1. Hosting a Fish Fry

Once you enter a foreign land, almost all Jamaicans become family. United in your quest for true Jamaican cuisines, flavors, and, of course, a good Jamaican vibe, what better way to connect with home than a backyard fish fry? With everyone chipping in, there is no better way to recapture the essence of home. Complete with reggae beats, dancehall moves, and stories, it should be enough to transport you back to warm Jamaican nights.

2. Going to church

Attending church on Easter Sunday is a non-negotiable tradition for many Jamaicans, a practice instilled from childhood. If your family raised you ‘right’, Christmas and Easter are two non optional holidays where you must find yourself in church. And so whether you are located ya’ad or abroad you will find yourself filing into those holy pews if not for forgiveness, out of respect and nostalgia.

3. Flying in Family for a Taste of Home

Many Jamaicans view Easter as an opportunity to reunite with family. That said, it’s not always without an ulterior motive. If you notice them checking your bags before they hug you or intently eyeing your luggage from the moment you enter the house, it’s not their fault; it’s the bun and cheese cravings. It might not be the only reason they invited you over, but know it’s up there in the top 2 reasons.

4. Hunting Down Jamaican Bun and Cheese

No Easter is complete without the staple bun and cheese, and Jamaicans living abroad go to great lengths to find it. This often involves scouring local Caribbean markets or networking within the community to locate a batch that tastes just like home. It’s a pursuit driven by the desire to maintain a tangible connection to Jamaican culture, sharing this tradition with friends and family to keep the essence of the holiday alive. If all else fails, check out our Jamaican Spiced Bun Recipe and make some of your own.

5. An Indoor Jamaican Easter Feast

Even when large gatherings aren’t feasible, Jamaicans ensure the spirit of Easter is felt through an indoor feast. This intimate celebration features all the traditional dishes: fish prepared in every way imaginable, alongside festival, bammy, and the indispensable bun and cheese—if you managed to secure it. It’s a labor of love, where each dish is prepared with recipes passed down through generations, bringing a piece of Jamaica to the Easter table away from home.

For Jamaicans, Easter away from home is a deep yearning to celebrate faith, culture, and community. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with your roots and hold sacred what makes you Jamaican. Whether it’s a fusion of flavors, sounds, and traditions from the island, or a gathering with fellow Jamaicans the goal is to come alive, with a taste of home.