If there is one day in the year that sees the most fish being sold on the island of Barbados, it would be Holy Thursday. This day falls within the Easter holidays, and commemorates the day Jesus Christ shared the Last Supper with his 12 apostles, prior to his crucifixion.
"What is the connection between the number of fish sold and Holy Thursday?", you may find yourself wondering. This is the day before Good Friday, a day where it is the Christian tradition to abstain from eating meaty flesh, particularly red meat. Fish and other seafood is typically substituted for other meats during this time as it is viewed as a different type of flesh, hence why fish is bought in large numbers on Holy Thursday.
In Barbados, flying fish has commonly been the type of fish bought on this day, usually enjoyed stewed with cou-cou; Barbados' national dish. However, now Bajans enjoy many other species of fish on Holy Thursday, such as dolphinfish, turpit, and swordfish. Fish is also enjoyed on the side of other starches and fried in cutters.
With that, the Barbados Fisheries Division wishes you all a Happy Easter, filled with cheer and delicious fish dishes!