Easter in Asia

Celebrations in South East Asia depend largely on the openness of the country. As the region is predominantly non-Christian, the holiday doesn't feature in the calendar but most of the South East Asian countries recognise the festival, if not for other than its commercial value; KFC is  offering an Easter egg decorating competition for the price of a family bucket.

A western day out for the whole family! 

There are some exceptions in the region, like the Philippines which is a Christian stronghold. If you're wondering what to do for Easter next year, why not head to the city of San Fernando for a crucifixion party. This year 9 lucky (?) locals have been chosen to celebrate Jesus with an ultimate party trick: being crucified. You can also attend as a passer by flogger if you are not lucky enough to your name be drawn from the hat. 30,000 tourists were expected to this year's event but I'm sure you'll fit in! 

Some strong christian traditions are still alive in Indonesia as a heritage from the Portuguese. The main Eastern celebrations take place on the Flores Island where Indonesian and international christians alike flog to pray around the two religions icons. The statues of Jesus Christ, or Tuan Ana, and Virgin Mary, or Tuan Ma, are said to be original statues from the 16th century presented to the people by Portuguese missionaries. 

The Malaysian prime minister recognised country's Christians conveying a good wish message in his Easter communication despite of the majority religion being Islam. Several catholic churches in the country have held Easter Masses and the end of the Lent was widely recognised, too. 

Even a Bruneian Catholic church held an Easter Mass. Whether it was to prove to a visiting UK dignitary that Amnesty needn't worry. When the Sharia law will be enforced, any other religious teachings to Muslims will be punishable by law. Time will tell how the christians who make 8 % of the population will be able to celebrate the holidays on the Roman calendar. 

I guess it's like any other tradition in an expat household; you make it your own. Or the same thing goes in a two-culture family - the Easter traditions are different in the UK and Finland. How to decide which work the best for your family? In our case it was the arrival of the UK grandparents that brought in a whiff of British traditions in the form of making an Easter bonnet and a sighting of bunny ears. Last year I had some "Easter grass seeds" (rairuoho) sent from Finland but I didn't want to invite any more ants to come and live with us so I left it for this year.

Photo curtesy of Susanna

Of course, the very Finnish speciality mämmi is impossible to come by - and to be honest I'm not too sad. Even when someone did post a recipe on a website I still wasn't tempted...

We didn't do an egg hunt this year, it's not a Finnish thing so I didn't plan one despite of the UK gifts. But we did see an Easter bunny so perhaps there still are eggs to be found... We can use the Finnish tradition this year and tell Sofia the Easter cockerel laid them - maybe for the better anyway as I'm not keen on hiding eggs in the garden. God knows who will find the eggs first knowing the creatures that hide in the lawn!