Temperate countries have seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall, driven by climate. Very often we hear that tropical countries have only one wet and dry season. Trinidad and Tobago, located in the Caribbean Sea, however, has many seasons and is driven by the main activities of the country. Hence we have the Christmas season, the Carnival season, Lent, the Easter season, and the Divali season. Each of these stations has its unique traditions, and while the origins of some have been obscured over time, Trinitarians continue to follow the traditions. Easter is one of those seasons in Trinidad in the Caribbean.

A very old tradition that continues to survive is the beating of the Bobolee. The origin of the word “bobolee” has been obscured over time, but the actual word is still widely used. A bobolee is an effigy of Judas Iscariot made from old clothing stuffed with rags or dried grass. It is placed in a public place on Good Friday and anyone who passes is welcome to “hit the bobolee” with sticks, kicks or slaps. The beating originally symbolized Judas’ retribution for betraying Christ. Over time, the bobolee has also come to symbolize everything that is unpopular, be it inflation or unpopular politicians. You’d think only kids would “beat the bobolee,” but adults are often into the fun of it. The word “bobolee” has now become such an important part of Trinidadian culture that it is used to describe any individual who has been taken advantage of or severely beaten by others.

Finding a bobolee on Good Friday was once very easy as they were erected in all communities. Over time, it has become more difficult to find a bobolee in the city areas of Trinidad, but in rural districts they can still be seen on Good Friday morning. Those that are well built often survive the blows and last into the night. In the eastern part of Trinidad, in the districts of Valencia, Sangre Chiquito and Sangre Grande, you will still find bobolees lying on the side of the road. In the area known as the Valencia Section, a man, for several years, has faithfully built a bobolee every Good Friday and placed it on a chair on the side of the road. This effigy is so well made that when you walk past you often don’t realize it is a goofball.

However, bobolees are not the only Easter tradition in Trinidad. Another Easter tradition is kite flying, which is facilitated by strong breezes at this time of year. Traditionally, kites were diamond-shaped with cross-shaped wooden struts symbolizing the cross on which Jesus died. His flight in the sky symbolized his ascension to heaven. Today the tradition survives without any religious symbolism even though many have forgotten how to make a kite and most kites are bought. The attraction is simply because it is good clean fun that people of all ages can enjoy. Now there are several kite flying competitions at Easter.

Traditionally, Catholics abstained from meat on Fridays during Lent. This has now become a tradition that is followed by many of all faiths, although some only observe it on Good Friday, when only fish is eaten. Another tradition whose origins have been obscured over time is the ingestion of ground provisions (yams, cassava, dasheen (taro), eddoes) on Good Friday. Yet another Good Friday tradition is eating Hot Cross Buns, where the cross is a symbol of the crucifixion.

An old tradition that has more to do with myth than reality is to avoid bathing in the sea on Good Friday. In earlier times, Trinidadians did not go to the beach on Good Friday. There was a myth that if you went to the sea on Good Friday, either you turned into a fish or you drowned. It is unknown why this tradition developed, but now the tradition has died to the point that only the elderly avoid the sea on Good Friday.

A relatively new tradition is camping during Easter. With one public holiday on Friday and another on Monday, the Easter weekend is often called a “long weekend” and Trinidadians flock to the beaches to camp along the coast.

So if you are in Trinidad during Easter, go find a bobolee to release your tensions and experience the other Easter traditions.