As a boy growing up on the West Coast of Berbice, Easter was one of the most eagerly anticipated times of the year. By this point in the season, our kites would already be made, usually the result of a communal effort among family, friends, and neighbours. Those who couldn’t afford the brightly coloured kite paper from the shops used their imagination and covered their kites with newspaper pages. If commercial paste was out of reach, or people couldn’t afford, we used flour paste or the sticky juice from the clama cherry, a small wild berry, was used as an alternative.
Each kite had ears fastened to its sides, and tails made from strips of old clothing or remnants donated by seamstresses and tailors in the village. The more adventurous among us secretly placed razor blades in their kite tails in hopes of cutting down others mid-flight. Competition was fierce. We strove to fly the highest, sing the loudest, remain aloft the longest, and boast the best design. It was serious business, and many a tear was shed when a treasured kite failed to soar or fell victim to a rival’s blade.
As I grew older, I came to realise that kite flying symbolised far more than fun in the skies. It represented the resurrection and ascension of Christ, an act of divine triumph over death and despair.
Easter rivalled Christmas in its sense of celebration. Ginger beer, rice wine, sponge cake, hot cross buns, homemade ice cream, and other treats filled our homes. On Easter Sunday, we’d rise early, prepare ourselves for church, and return home to a hearty meal. Then, off we’d go to the ball field, kites in hand.
Easter Monday was the highlight, an entire day spent outdoors, flying kites from morning until sunset. Schools hosted afternoon parties, starting around 2 p.m., so children could enjoy ice cream and buns before the games began.
Beyond the joy and festivity, Easter Sunday holds deep spiritual meaning in the Christian calendar. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for humanity’s redemption. His message was one of transformation: a call to walk a new path rooted in values that promote peace, harmony, compassion, and unity. For the faithful, His resurrection also promises eternal life.
What remains most powerful to me is how Christ embraced everyone. He reached beyond his own community. He treated women, children, and the vulnerable with unwavering respect. He rebuked those who sought to judge or exclude. He was patient with human frailty, yet resolute in His devotion to God and the mission He was sent to fulfill.
From an early age, many of us learned to sing:
“Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
Easter is a moment to reflect on His sacrifice and renew our commitment to living by His teachings. At times, doing so may place us at odds with prevailing attitudes or systems, but the wisdom of His path and the principles it upholds remain unshaken.
The concept of human oneness isn’t just a cornerstone of Christian belief, it is enshrined in global declarations and covenants, including the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, International Labour Organisation conventions, and the Constitution of Guyana. These documents echo the call for mutual respect, equal dignity, and shared humanity.
Yet this Easter finds our nation wounded—divided by political triumphalism and racial intolerance, burdened by greed, poor governance, rising corruption, marginalisation, and discrimination against people for simply exercising their constitutional rights.
We are witnessing a spiritual decay, where the principles that form the foundation of Christianity and our laws are being ignored. Too many are left to suffer in silence, victims of hate, fear, and victimisation.
But in true Christian faith hope must spring external and we must continue to soldier in our quest for a better society. Let us be guided by the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.”
Thus, struggle we must, if we are to see the change we desire. We cannot afford to wait for someone to deliver it to us. We are the change we have been waiting for.
