Menu
The Easter is almost here and its a great season to share with family and friends.
Celebrating Easter in Madeira Island is to continue the traditions of our people. Here in Madeira we have some religious traditions. It all starts with “Quaresma”, or Lent. It begins right after Carnival, and for a period of 7 weeks it is seen as a period of abstinence and you cannot eat meat on fridays.
During that period, until friday before Easter sunday, We play “Balamento”, a traditional game of this festive season between families and friends. Every day, the player has to say the word “Balamento” when his opponent is distracted. The participant who is the fastest saying it wins a point and whoever loses will have to offer a gift to the winner in the end that usually is packet of almonds, easter eggs or “torrões de açúcar”.
One week before Easter we have the ” Sunday of Branches”, a tradition associated with the entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem to celebrate Easter, with palm leaves. Here the locals go to church carrying the branches built from the leaves of palm trees, or any flowers that get blessed on that day and they keep them at home.
On Holy Thursday, locals celebrate the day Jesus had his last supper, by not partying or eating meat, only working during the morning.
Good Friday is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion and death, some people still practice fasting and no eating meat. Is typical to attend mass at church and eat codfish Or tuna with yam and chickpeas.
Its almost Easter Sunday, but before we have Hallelujah Saturday. This is the day where religious people gather in constant prayers in the name of Jesus, awaiting the arrival of his resurrection, and most of us waiting for Sunday to celebrate and share a great food and drinks.
On Easter Sunday, after all of these days we can celebrate with family and friends. he kids have lots of fun trying to find easter chocolate eggs, people attend religious ceremonies, and get together with their family to share and eat the typical Easter lunch, that could be lamb, meat or chicken stewed with potatos. A lot of sweets and desserts fill the tables, chocolat eggs, sweet almonds, thalso the traditional Easter sweet in Madeira called sugar “torrões”, and puddings. We cannot forget the wine, it’s something that can’t be missed.
Every celebration have food on the table, lots of laugh and sharing moments. On these Easter holidays, bring the family and join the people here in Madeira, we always have room for one more.
