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Bermuda's Public Holidays in 2013, 2014, 2015

Their dates, how and why celebrated, with history, solemnity and traditions

By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us) at e-mail exclusively for Bermuda Online

To refer by e-mail to this file use "bermuda-online.org/pubhols.htm" as your Subject

General notes

• Government Offices are closed on every public holiday as shown below, plus Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, but are otherwise open for business each day from Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• The following Monday will be observed as a public holiday when a public holiday with a fixed date falls on a Saturday or Sunday. As Boxing Day, December 26, 2015 falls on a Saturday, Government Offices will be closed on Monday, December 28, 2015. So will most other places (see below).

Not published or open or reduced services on public holidays

• All Government Offices - administrative or service, including Post Offices.
• Stores, shops, & businesses, except those with a holiday trading license, able and willing to pay their staff double overtime and thinking they might benefit from arriving cruise ships, etc. on that day. It is entirely up to each shop, store and business whether or not they open that day and if they do their staff may have the option of whether or not they wish to work on that day.
• Garbage removal services when Government provided nationally and in the City of Hamilton. 
• Local newspapers do not publish print versions on public holidays. 
• Most local restaurants (not at hotels) are closed.
• Buses and ferries are on a much-reduced Sunday schedule.
• Many taxis do not operate.
• Tour operators may not operate or may have reduced services.
• However, in the cruise ship season, when pre-booked in advance by the cruise lines and prepaid by or pre-charged to passengers, cruise line excursions may operate. 

Many of these public holiday closures may not be convenient to visitors on cruise ships especially because of their short stays. Bermuda does not have USA-style public holidays where the shops, restaurants and essential services to visitors are closed only twice a year.

Holiday trading license

Traditionally holiday trading licence owners have been allowed to open between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. only. Section eight of Bermuda's Public Holiday Act prohibits selling, exposing or offering for sale to the public any goods or merchandise, the opening of any shop and the admittance of any customer into a shop on a public holiday without a holiday trading licence.

Unaffected by public holidays

Restaurants owned by hotels will be open. So will a few small convenience stores which are allowed to have more leeway than larger food stores.

Next Public Holiday: Bermuda Day, Friday May 24

Bermuda Day 2012 photographs and video, see http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120524/NEWS/120529986. 

There is always a specific theme for each year. Thousands of people crowded the streets of Hamilton to witness the 2012 Bermuda Day Parade. Dancers, drummers and dozens of parade floats set out from Bernard's Park while revelers played music throughout Marsh Folly and Cedar Avenue. Elaborate costumes and even more elaborate floats marked the festivities

Participants usually include marching bands, dancers, Bermuda Gombeys, Bermuda Islanders pipe and drum band, politicians with speeches and restaurant stands offering tasty, hot and cold selections of specialty Bermudian dishes. 

This day began in Britain in 1902 as the celebration of the birthday of Queen Empress Victoria. The Earl of Meath inaugurated it as the day on which young people would be trained in their British Empire citizenship. He got the idea from a newspaper clipping in Hamilton, Ontario, which noted a patriotic parade for children organized by Mrs. Reginald Fessenden. It began in Bermuda in 1909, from the town of St. George to Somerset. Lord Meath was successful in Britain in establishing what became known as Empire Day on May 24. Then it became Commonwealth Day, but in Bermuda, what became known as Bermuda Day replaced it. It was when Bermuda was experiencing bloody civil unrest in the 1970s. Lord Pitt, a black member of the Greater London Council who was sent out to make recommendations after the riots, suggested it as a way to bring Bermudians of different races together in harmony.

It includes the Marathon Derby, in reality a half marathon - raced from Somerset to Hamilton, 13 miles by road, over hills and dales. Bermuda's racing legend "Sir" Stanley Burgess, who died in 1984, participated for over 50 years, beginning in 1921 when he was 20. He won it ten times. His marathon preparation began with a bath in port wine, honey, beet tops and rum. He rubbed his legs with tincture of myrrh, turtle oil, oil of wintergreen with hazel, and old rum. His final race was in 1983, when he was 84. He was awarded the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honor in 1971. The 2011 winner, Chris Estwanik, earned his fourth consecutive Marathon Derby trophy. He finished in one hour, eight minutes and 27 seconds – more than four minutes quicker than runner-up Lamont Marshall who came home in 1:12.49. In the women's race, a jubilant Deon Breary celebrated “a dream come true” by winning her first Marathon Derby in a time of 1:30.33.

There is also a cycle race. Scores of cyclists set off from Somerset finishing at about 9.30am. 

The crew improvise for survival and seamanship. They jibe from port to starboard for prevailing winds, try to keep upright and can take on gallons of water. 

To reduce weight and keep afloat, they jump or get pushed off. With right conditions and a good helmsman, they achieve high speeds. 

But they often they sink or are dismasted before the finishing line. Always entertaining and sometimes hilarious.

Photo: Bermuda Fitted Dinghy  

National Heroes' Day on 3rd Monday in June

2012. June 18. Slave and champion of the abolitionist movement, Mary Prince is recognized as Bermuda’s national hero this year. The public event includes music, dance, and spoken word performances. The History of Mary Prince. This edition published February 1, 2001 by Penguin Classics. In 1831, the first narrative of a black woman to be published in Britain. It describes Prince's sufferings as a slave in Bermuda where she was born and flogged, Turks Island and Antigua, and her eventual arrival in London with her brutal owner Mr Wood in 1828. Prince escaped from him and sought assistance from the Anti-Slavery Society, where she dictated her remarkable story to Susanna Strickland (later Moodie). A moving and graphic document, The History drew attention to the continuation of slavery in the Caribbean, despite an 1807 Act of Parliament officially ending the slave trade. It inspired two libel actions and ran into three editions in the year of its publication. It was the first black woman’s autobiography published in Britain. This powerful rallying cry for emancipation remains an extraordinary testament to Prince's ill-treatment, suffering and survival.

2011 Bermudian National Heroes were honored on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Show Ring of the Botanical Gardens. They were Dr Edgar Fitzgerald Gordon, Sir Henry James Tucker and Dr Roosevelt Brown. Sir Henry Tucker - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Tucker_(Bermudian_politician) - formed and led the United Bermuda Party (UBP) into Government and was Premier of Bermuda for many years. Dr. Edgar Fitzgerald Gordon formed the Bermuda Industrial Union in 1942 and led it for many years, through a very controversial history. Three books have been written about him by Bermudian authors. Roosevelt Brown became known to most in Bermuda as the architect of Universal Adult Suffrage in Bermuda. He was a former PLP MP and Progressive Labour Party Education Officer. He wrote Me One, his autobiography under the name of Pauulu Roosevelt Osiris Nelson Browne Kamarakafego. Wesley Leroy Tucker was another leader in the adult suffrage movement. Entertainment included performances specifically in honour of these three new National Heroes. There was involvement from uniformed youth groups, schools and the Bermuda Regiment.

In 2009 Government decided to move National Heroes Day to June, but instead of holding it on the second Monday of June when the Queen's Birthday used to be observed they chose the third Monday of June.

October 13, 2008 was the first such public holiday under this name, for local heroes and heroines. 2009 and 2008 honored Dame Lois Browne Evans.  

In 2010 she was honored for the third year running. 

Dame Lois (see photo below), who died in 2007, produced many firsts including becoming Bermuda's first female lawyer, the first black woman elected to Parliament, the first female Attorney General,  first leader of the Opposition and a fiercely outspoken leading member of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) all her life. Not only did she break Bermuda's records she also became the first female Opposition leader in the Commonwealth.

A national hero is someone whose achievements have had a far-reaching effect on his or her community and often exacted a personal toll. Future national heroes could include former slave Mary Prince, who was the first black woman to publish a book about her experience. The book was significant in the UK abolition movement. 

In the run up to the 2007 election then-Premier Ewart Brown announced at a PLP rally his Government would set aside a day to honour Dame Lois. That September it was announced May 24, Bermuda Day, would become National Heroes Day and Dame Lois would be the first recipient. 

However, the public heavily opposed the idea of losing one of Bermuda's most culturally significant days of the year. In 2008 Government then moved it to October and axed the June Queen's Birthday holiday. 

The date coincided with the first day of the PGA Grand Slam. That too was opposed by the public, some who complained of missing a holiday during the summer months while others said it was disrespectful towards Bermuda's monarch. 

Emancipation Day & Somers Day (both Cup Match), 2-day holiday

This day is named to commemorate the most important modern events in Bermuda's 400+ year-old history.

They are held by tradition on the two consecutive days of (a) Emancipation Day (see below) and Somers Day. These two days are always on the Thursday preceding the first Monday in August and the Friday preceding the first Monday in August. For many Bermudians, locals and visitors who do not have to work on a Saturday or Sunday this amounts to a 4-day public holiday long weekend.

On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, freeing the Island's slaves. It is mostly celebrated with the annual cricket Cup Match classic between St. George's and Somerset, two prominent local cricket teams. It follows a tradition that first started on August 8, 1872. The Bermuda Cricket Club was founded in St. George's in 1845 and played its first game against the garrison. In 1872, British cricket arrived for local civilians. For many years until 1902, the unofficial festive game was between two fraternal lodges on opposite sides of Bermuda - in Somerset in the west end and St. George's on the east end. Cricket is a British game that originated in England centuries ago, it is not unique to Bermuda. It is popular throughout the British Commonwealth of Nations. Its local season is from late April to late September. This sport was first brought to Bermuda in the 1840s by British Army soldiers stationed here. Long before cricket became the hugely popular sport it is today, a match played between the fleet team of the resident Royal Navy base and the British Army garrison regimental team was a major event in the social calendar of the Town of St. George. 

But among the cricket-loving nations and territories of the world, only in Bermuda does the whole of Bermuda grind to a complete halt for two days every summer to turn its attention to a cricket game. On Cup Match days, many Bermudians either go physically to the game or listen to it on the radio. The festive game began officially in July 1902 between the Somerset Cricket Club in the west end and the St. George's Cricket Club in the east end. Venues of the game change yearly between both clubs. The popularity of the annual game was such that it caused continued absences from employment. As a direct result, the 2-day public holiday was first introduced in 1947 and has been in effect ever since. Since 1999, a celebration of emancipation is now part of the ritual of the first day of Cup Match, formally renamed Emancipation Day. 

It is a very busy time for camping and picnicking at public (Government) parks or beaches or both. The designated campgrounds are Ferry Point, Coney Island and Chaplin Bay but all public parks and beaches are liable to be invaded by persons pitching tents from two days beforehand and until the Sunday evening after Cup Match. It can be very disconcerting for tourists who hope in vain for deserted public beaches and who are not used to seeing campers pitching tents so close to public beaches. They simply would not be allowed in their own countries. Nor would the trash so many locals leave near their tents.

Crown and Anchor gaming at Cup Match, Royal Gazette photo

Whichever team hosts the annual game accepts tenders for the gambling game of Crown and Anchor (see above), one of the many "concessionary" events, open gambling, operators of which pay Government a hefty license fee. It is also an occasion for off-beat mid-summer peculiarities that include awarding a winning batsman with tax-free cash; the wearing of outlandish fashions, much socializing, bands and musical groups participating, a carnival atmosphere complete with calypso, reggae, soca, rap and other music. The most avid fans stake out a place in a stand on the cricket field long before the match starts at 10 am. They come well prepared with umbrellas for shade and picnic hampers stocked with a day's supply of food and  drink.

At other times in local cricket, teams play in the ICC Trophy against teams from Canada, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates. The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control is the organization. Cricket is also a major local sport for  youth. The Bermuda Cricket Annual is the complete local guide.

There are even four streets in Bermuda named in honor of cricket. One is Fielders Lane, in Smith's Parish. It is halfway up Flatt's Hill on the left, veering south from Middle Road. The track takes its name from the nearby playing field of Flatts Victoria Cricket Club. The other three are Bat 'n' Ball Lane, Cricket Lane, and Grandstand Lane, all in Sandys Parish. They diverge from Scott's Hill Road, near the Somerset Cricket Club.

Cricket teams in either the regular or Commercial League include Cleveland County; Devonshire Recreation Club; Devonshire Stars; Flatt's Victoria; Forties; Jamaican Association; North Village; PHC; Police; St. David's; St. George's Cricket Club; Somerset Bridge; Somerset Cricket Club; Warwick Workman's; Watford; West Indian Association;  Willow Cuts; and Young Men's Social Club.

In Sandys, the Western Counties Cricket Association is at telephone (441) 236-9000 ext. 4314. All cricket games are at the spacious White Hill Field. 

Referred to in history as the Father of Bermuda, Admiral Sir George Somers has the second day, Somers Day, of this  2-day public holiday named in his honor for his discovery of Bermuda which led to its settlement in 1609. For 2009 it was a very special 400th Anniversary commemoration of the single most important day in Bermuda's history.

Labour Day

Bermuda annual Labour Day parade

It originally gave workers the chance to campaign for better working conditions or pay. The day is now part of a long weekend for many Bermudians, Americans, Canadians, etc. The Bermuda Industrial Union and other unions always have or sponsor speeches, festivities, road races and games on this day. It took on additional importance after the victory of the labor government in Bermuda in November 1998, and the heavy unionization since the 1940s of most of Bermuda. It's also a convenient excuse for a three-day weekend.

2012 Bermuda Labour Day Royal Gazette editorial, see http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20120904/COMMENT01/709049949 

Remembrance Day

In 2012, on Sunday, November 11 with a public holiday in lieu the next day. In 2013, on Monday, November 11.

Christmas Day, December 25

Every church has Christmas Day services.

Weather statistics

Festivities

Although Bermuda is regarded as British in so many ways by the 95 percent of visitors who are from  the USA, Britons and Canadians regard it as more American than British and this is reflected in the way Christmas is spent in Bermuda. Santa Claus, not Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas (the patron saint of Russia), is the term used by nearly everyone locally. In cuisine, religions, customs, music and celebrations, Bermuda has Yuletide traditions from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada. Christmas Greetings come annually from the Governor, Premier, Leader of the Opposition,  Bishop of Bermuda, Bishop of Hamilton in Bermuda and other dignitaries. Many individuals and stores publish theirs. Local Christmas events and cable TV shows are common. Christmas music events are numerous. Churches offer special Nativity tidings. Most Christmas presents are from the USA. Christmas dinners for families, friends and extended families are often merry and extravagant. Local seasonal foods like cassava pie are made in quantity. They are usually served with (imported) turkey. Birds such as turkey - goose in England until the dawn of the 20th century - are no longer stuffed with "farce" as they were in the Middle Ages in England.

Bermuda Santa 

There are ornaments, trees, festival of lights, pantomime and the famous The Royal Gazette short story writing. For over 50 years, Bermuda's national daily newspaper The Royal Gazette has an annual, very popular, Christmas Short Story with a Christmas and Bermuda traditions theme. It is an annual writing competition - deadline as announced  - open to all residents, adults and those under 18. Cash prizes are presented in three categories, under -13s, under-18s and adults. There is a first prize for winners, $400 in 2012, runners up $250, plus those with exceptional promise regardless of category and certificates for honorable mentions. Entries from adults and youngsters are published in the Christmas Eve edition. Hundreds of stories were judged, from adults and children. Each year the judges look for vivid local Christmas themes and local references, content, correct spelling, correct grammar and punctuation. Entries must be typed and should not exceed 1,500 words. Manuscripts must be submitted to The Royal Gazette clearly marked, “Christmas Short Story Contest”, and indicating the category entered. Whether it is an adult entry or an under 18 entry must also be indicated. Stories may be fiction or non-fiction. Manuscripts may be submitted by hand in the drop-off box in the lobby of The Royal Gazette, by mail to "Christmas Short Story Contest", The Royal Gazette, PO Box HM1025, Hamilton HM DX, or by e-mail to the specific email address given. The full name, address and telephone number of the author must be given. Pen names will not be accepted. Stories received after the deadline will not be considered. A panel of judges decide the winning entries which will be published in The Royal Gazette's Christmas Greetings Supplement on Christmas Eve. The Royal Gazette reserves the right to publish any or all of the stories submitted.

Christmas foods

Experience and enjoy British locally made or mostly imported seasonal foods like:

• Bakewell tarts (in Britain eaten year-round).
• Brandy butter.  Home-made with ingredients including butter and brandy.
• Christmas puddings (originally a porridge called frumenty, a wheat dish filled with dried fruits, sometimes cuts of meat, occasionally spirits - alcohol - and banned by the Puritans. 
• Gingerbread, originally from Germany until 1812 when Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm published their two volumes of German folk tales and now popular world-wide including in rest of Europe, Britain and Bermuda, both seasonally and year-round.

Mince pies

• Mince pies - see above -  (shrid pies in Elizabethan times in England because they contained shredded meat suet and the three spices of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg). The Elizabethans of England adored spiced fruit. British cookery writers of the 19th century made sure their audiences carried on the tradition. Mrs. Beeton's mincemeat recipe of 1861 was an instant runaway success and is still used today. Nowadays, mince pies involve three large lemons and apples, a pound each of raisins, currants and suet, two pounds of sugar, candied peel and a teacupful of brandy. Put the mincemeat in a stone jar with a closely fitting lid and in a fortnight in will be ready for use.
• Sherry trifle, with sherry added.
• Yuletide or Yule Logs (once a Scandinavian, then British, custom).  

Christmas Carol Music Favourites

• Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. By Mendelssohn. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv0uYxKMwQ4. Sung by Julie Andrews.

• It Came Upon The Midnight Clear. By H. W. Parker. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBajJ3ZFVohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBajJ3ZFVo. Sung by Julie Andrews.

• Little Drummer Boy. By Harry Simeon. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxzJiYlSHfQ . Sung by the Harry Simeon Chorale.

• Mille Cherubini in Coro. By Schubert-Melichar. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrJihqdhoBc. Sung by Luciano Pararotti.  

• Oh Holy Night. By Adolphe Adam. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-RAnkH8Jxc. Sung by Andy Williams.  

• Panis Angelicus. By Ceasare Franck. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUuJ0LCeb_s. Sung by The Priests.  

• Silent Night (Stille Nacht). By Gruber. Hear it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZGUofVnyak. Sung by the Vienna Boys Choir.

Christmas Crackers

Note  these wonderful, festive, typically British table side ornaments, also seen in Canada but hardly at all in the USA. All are imported to Bermuda from England. They pop with a snap when opened by two people and have some small enclosure, plus a festive, colored paper hat. They were invented in the mid 1840s by London pastry cook Tom Smith after seeing the French custom of wrapping sweets (candies) in twists of colored paper. They became popular when Smith put a snapper inside which made them go bang when pulled. There is still a Tom Smith brand of Christmas crackers. There are other manufacturers too, at various prices. 

Christmas Trees

In Bermuda, Christmas trees are always imported from Canada or the USA. In December 2011 in Bermuda the average price is $100 or higher or a nice-sized (seven feet or higher) Fraser fir or Quebec balsam, with prices starting at around $68 for the four to six-feet high trees.

In Britain, from where most of Bermuda's Christmas Tree customs (but not the trees!) originate, the usual Christmas tree is the Norway Spruce. Other favorites are the Scots Pine; Lodgepole Pine (long needles); Noble and Nordmann (or Caucasian) Fir; Douglas Fir; Blue Spruce and Serbian Spruce. Firs and Pines hold their needles better than spruce. 

Bermuda Festival of Lights

Also in Bermuda, there is an annual (except in 2008, due to the economic downturn) Festival of Lights, always in December, with Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year very much in mind, with winners announced. There's a British style Christmas pantomime, very much a part of the Christmas tradition. It is always a sell-out. Based on the UK pantomime tradition, it has a plot, jokes, political asides, costumes galore and fun. As British as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, the annual slapstick and interactive pantomime production has become a longstanding tradition in Bermuda as well.

Boxing Day, December 26

A public holiday in Bermuda, as in Britain. It originates from the old days in England when, to compensate their servants for working extra hard in the preparation of extravagant, all day Christmas Day feasts, members of the aristocracy and gentry were inclined to reward the former with "boxes" of game from their estates, or goodies, as well as the day off. In more recent times, it became the day for small gifts for those who deliver the mail and newspapers. Locally, Boxing Day is an occasion for giving to the less fortunate and finishing off the local cassava pie, turkey and other Christmas eats, family gatherings, social drinking and relaxing. Also, the Gombeys dance. They have been part of Bermudian life since the eighteenth century. The word Gombey comes from the African Bantu language and means both rhythm and drum. Noteworthy  and quoteworthy are the books "The Bermuda Gombey; Bermuda's Unique Dance Heritage" by Louise A. Jackson and "Bermuda: Traditions and Tastes" by Judith Watson.

There are also Boxing Day motocross races at Coney Island from 12:30 pm and Boxing Day Stakes pony races at the National Equestrian Centre track.

New Year's Day

Many locals and visitors celebrate the night before - New Year's Eve - at one of the local hotels or restaurants. New Year's Day, the day chosen by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 when he established the 365 day calendar, marked the start of the year as the time when the Earth is closest to the Sun and established the Gregorian Calendar uses today - has festive events island wide. Her Majesty the Queen's local New Year's Honors are announced, earlier recommended by the Bermuda Government. Periodically, a Knighthood is awarded locally, or a Companion of the British Empire (CBE), or Order of the British Empire (OBE). These more prestigious awards go to serving or retired Bermuda Government legislators or civil servants.

Good Friday

Different Bermuda kites

For most Bermudians, Good Friday means church, flying Bermuda made kites, and eating codfish cakes - see below - and English style hot cross buns - also shown below. Flying kites - although not on Good Friday - originated in Indonesia 3,000 years ago. There, fishermen used leaf kites to suspend fishing lines out to sea. Indonesian children still skillfully fly bits of waste paper on strings. Kite-flying drifted up through Asia and arrived in Europe early in the 16th century. Much later, it reached Bermuda. British Army troops used them to plan telegraph poles in Bermuda, the Caribbean and other colonial outposts and they were later used to good effect by the British Army to plan telegraph poles in South Africa for the Boer Wars. In Britain, the years 1880 to 1930 were considered the golden age of British kiting. In the 1880's they became even more useful for UK-wide military reconnaissance and meteorology. Huge flying frames carrying weighty cameras were a common sight over trenches in Europe in the First World War. In California, camera kites were used to photograph the devastation caused by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Insert: A uniquely made Bermuda kite. Elsewhere overseas, in India, the kite fighting season can be dangerous. Hundreds of thousands of people fly their fighting kites from roof tops. They coat their kite strings with glass and try to cut their opponents' kite strings. In Britain today, the High Force Kite Festival occurs in August. Kites require Civil Aviation Authority to fly at 1,500 feet or higher. Clearly then, they are not just toys for children. Some are massive, three-dimensional things.

There is said to be a special Bermuda civilian religious significance to kite flying. It started on Good Friday when a local teacher with a British Army connection had difficulty explaining Christ's Ascension to Heaven to his Sunday School class. So he launched a kite with a likeness of Christ. A traditional Bermuda made kite, from different colors of tissue paper, is still in the shape of a cross. Originally, kites were not flown until after 3 pm. Now, they stay up all day. Only if it rains do they come down. Bermuda kites have long cloth tails and are in different colors of paper tissue, wood, metal and string. Some are huge, in exquisite patterns, requiring several men to get aloft. Some are deliberately made to emit a humming or buzzing sound, with a hummer made from glued paper, which spoils their spiritual serenity. The hummer is always made with purple tissue paper because it is said to be louder. Another variation of the Bermuda kite is the traditional Somerset brown paper kite. It is made of cross sticks with a hummer behind the head stick. 

Good Friday Kite flying at Horseshoe Bay often includes a non denominational religious service; live musical entertainment; children's games; kite competition and judging; locals versus tourists tug of war; live entertainment; Warwick Gombey Dancers.

Legend of the Bermuda Passion Flower

Another legend associated with the Easter holiday - although Easter Sunday itself is not a public holiday - is that of the passion flower, of which there is a unique Bermuda species (note its special coloring, so different from many other varieties).  A climbing vine insisting on a sheltered southern location and a great deal of care, it has five sepals or five identical petals. Spanish missionaries who first discovered the flower in South America stated the petals represented the disciples without Peter and Judas.  The double row of colored filaments, known as the corona or crown, appear to show to some the halo around the head of Christ and to others the crown of thorns. The violet stamens and other parts of the flower show the wounds and nails Christ endured. The tendrils resemble the whips used to scourge Him and more areas of the flower recall the hands of the soldiers. Bermuda Passion flower photo by author Keith A. Forbes

Hot cross buns

British style, a direct import from the United Kingdom much favored in Bermuda. They are available from commercial bakeries or as home-made, sold or given away in batches by family matriarchs who love to make them from scratch. They are square-shaped sticky buns about 1.85 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep, with icing sugar applied to them in the shape of a cross. This signifies Christ's agony and death on the cross.  The religious aspect of this may not be well known beyond Britain and Ireland.

Bermuda Codfish Cakes

While these by themselves are not uniquely Bermudian, their development as a uniquely Bermudian dish, eaten with (preferably local) bananas is worthy of special note. The dish was once a Good Friday dish and Lenten dish. It was a major local factor in the former Christian (mostly Roman Catholic on Fridays but also Anglican on Good Friday) avoidance of meat. Lent has its moment of deepest anguish on Good Friday and ends with its happiest time on Easter Sunday, representing the Resurrection.  Nowadays, a Bermuda codfish breakfast is always a tradition on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but is not confined to those dates.

Some restaurants have the dish every week. In Bermuda, when made with care from imported salted codfish from Canada and given special local treatment, the dish is absolutely delicious! But there is a lot of work involved.

Bermuda Easter Lilies

Many Bermudians and others associate Easter lilies with Bermuda, and at one time the unique Bermuda variety were world famous. It is not generally known they did not come to Bermuda until the 1870s and then by accident instead of design.  A ship with a supply of bulbs limped in for emergency repairs and in the process, the bulbs got here too. The Bermuda grown variety usually open at Easter. But for the past year or two, many have blossomed as much as four weeks before Easter. This is the case again in the year 2002. Some are blooming already and the live flower lasts about 10 days. Some stems may have as many as 6 separate flowers. A local tradition is that a finest selection is always sent to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Bermuda Easter lily photo by author Keith A. Forbes

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service

Many Bermudians and other residents celebrate the latter first with this service - of which there are several - at various locations throughout Bermuda. But one of the most notable is at Horseshoe Bay at dawn. Those who don't feel like getting up so early but are church-goers will find that their traditional Easter Sunday church service is enhanced by special flower arrangements in the church and more festive than usual choir music. Then, to make a family day more complete, there are Easter Egg hunts for children and more kite flying.

Bermuda Easter Parade  - ended generations ago

Sadly, the lovely old tradition of the Bermuda Easter Parade - unique in its kind and once famous throughout the world, which drew thousands of visitors to the island - has long disappeared. The last such parade was in the 1970s. The Parade itself was glorious, with a large number of very artistically created floats all covered with local flowers, especially Bermuda Easter Lilies. The floats represented major local agricultural, civic, gardening and other organizations, the Corporations and municipalities of the City of Hamilton & Town of St. George's, Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, plus many individuals. The floats were on bicycles, horses, automobiles and trucks. Notable features of this hugely popular parade for both locals and visitors were the creativity and originality of the floats parading through the streets of the city. The Junior Chamber of Commerce added a special touch with the selection, from among its members, of the most handsome or otherwise eligible bachelors to provide a princely escort, on a special float, for the crowned Queen of the Easter Parade. She was always a delectable young lady picked from the previous year's crop of American College attendees during the once hugely popular "College Week in Bermuda" festivities over Easter, when all the hotels and guest houses were completely full.