We are truly lucky to be celebrating Easter in the Northern Hemisphere (North of the Equator) because those folks on the other side of the line (equator) are just entering their cold winter season.  So, when we hear the church authorities speaking about Spring and the new life of the plants and new born animals after a long cold winter, it coincides with the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion.  New life.  New beginnings.  Regained faith and a new start.

We celebrate with the Easter Bunny and the many parties that the little critter is involved with, the antics that people can contrive that the little guy gets blamed for doing.  It’s all meant in fun.

I went in search for what the other half of the world does to celebrate Easter and fell on a site explaining what happens in Australia.

I’m sure the folks that live in the land down under don’t have any more time on their hands than we do, but they celebrate Easter for 50 days!  And instead of having an Easter Bunny, they have an Easter Bilby.  Rabbits and Australia don’t get along.  There are soooooo many millions of rabbits down there that the people hate them.  They eat the crops, dig their holes and in general cause a lot of grief.  An Easter Bunny would be a bad thing.

But, on their endangered species list is a little critter called a Bilby:

And just like our Easter Bunny, the Easter Bilby gets into the act:

The Auzzies also like to make pancakes and most of their parties involve pancakes and what they call “hot cross buns”…..sort of like a sweet roll with raisins or other dried fruit mixed in and a sweet frosting put on top.  Besides eating (and I’m sure drinking), they have a traditional game called “Egg Knocking”….they boil up a bunch of eggs, gather around and pair up.  Each participant chooses an egg from the boiled eggs and then in turn, they knock the small end of their egg against that of the opponent.  The owner of the egg that cracks is out of the game and the winner goes on to “knock” their egg against the winner of another pairing.  It sounds like a silly game, but in the end everyone gets to eat an egg.

Egg Knocking Champ!  (Where’s the beer?)

On a side note, when I was in the Air Force stationed in Germany, we had a lot of young Australian people working on the base.  They did odd jobs in support of our mission and were very eager to have a party.  It seemed like any reason was reason enough for a party.  When I left the base to come home and leave the service, they held a big party for me.  I remember as one last note from one of the Auzzie ladies, she said “If you ever get down to Australia, knock me up”.

I actually thought that egg knocking might have something to do with that but was pleased to find out it didn’t.

Enjoy your Easter!  The picnic on the farm is going to be fun as usual!  Easter Bunny is hiding eggs right now and will unleash the kids at 12:30!  Hope to see you down there!

Bears Butt

April 5, 2015

P.S.

In Australia, “knock me up”, refers to going to the persons house for a visit….knock on the door.