Saturday 11 April 2009

Easter in the old west


Don't think I've ever seen it in a western movie or read about it in a western novel but Easter was a very important celebration in the Old West.

Immigrants would celebrate the religious festival in their own ways and the tradition of eggs had already been started, indeed in Europe the tradition goes back to medieval times when the egg was seen as a sign of new life, Easter being once considered the start of spring.. Course there weren't many people lucky enough to have gifts of candy eggs (like the Victorian egg pictured) but hen eggs would often be painted with elaborate designs and given the lucky children.

The diary of 12 year old Ellie Tanner in 1884 California tells of her mother getting a wondrous candy egg that was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and left her mouth watering.


AHH BLESS - THE TAINTED ARCHIVE WISHES ALL IT'S READERS A WONDERFUL WILD WEST EASTER.

6 comments:

Ray said...

I can't remember ever reading or seeing Easter celebrated in a western. First time for everything - I guess but which one of us is going to do it first.

Cullen Gallagher said...

Be the first, Gary! Easter-themed Western short story.

Thanks for the historical information - always a pleasure to learn something new.

Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin said...

Ray - you go for it. I'm working on a Christmas themed western short at the moment. Easter is one to think about, though.

Maggie Brendan said...

Gary,you're right, I don't believe I've read a true western even mention the word Easter. Although I write historical romance, I know that it'll turn up at some point in one of my books. Thanks for writing about our Lord's resurrection day and Happy Easter.

Nik Morton said...

Who's egging on whom?
Happy Easter.
Nik/Ross Morton

Anonymous said...

Bonanza had an Easter episode

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