The celebration of Easter in the SNNPR of Ethiopia is not much different from other parts of the country.
All Ethiopian Christians observe the Easter Holiday. Easter is a widely celebrated occasion throughout the country. This year, Easter falls on April 12, 2015, one week later than the Western Churches. This is because Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar to determine Easter dates.
In the Amharic language, Easter is referred to as Fasika, which originated from the Greek word Pascha. In both Kembata and Hadiya languages it is called “Shashiga”. In liturgical terms, it is referred to as “Tinsae” which means “to rise”. Many devoted Christians also observe Palm Sunday known as “Hossana” and Good Friday “Sikilet”.
Members of the Catholic and Protestant Churches which are dominant in the Southern parts of Ethiopia mark the day by attending church services. Followers carry candles to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Generally, church services are held in somber moods and are not as colorful as on other occasions.
For members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Churches Fasika marks the end of a 56-day period of Lent. On Saturday night, followers attend a church vigil that goes until 3 am. When they return home, they break their fasting from meat and dairy products.
Easter is an important festival for all Ethiopian Christians as the Resurrection of Jesus is considered more significant than his birth. Easter is also a time for families and friends to get together. Relatives travel from remote areas to join in festivities and express good wishes to their families.
The preparation for this special occasion starts weeks before the actual Easter day. Families are involved in the time-consuming task of preparing traditional foods that include beautiful details, unique ingredients, and lots of passion. They prepare chicken dishes for the symbolic occasion, and lamb for extended feasting. Doro wot (a spicy chicken stew) is the most traditional food served by families during Easter. It is accompanied by Injera (flat bread made from Teff). Home-brewed drinks such as Tella (a dark beer from barely) or Teji (honey wine), is abundant for the occasion. Difo-Dabo (a large and round home-baked wheat bread) is another food that is ready at every table.
Besides the religious aspect of Fasika, there is the ritual of preparation and celebration; the interesting traditional processing of food, the tantalizing smell of baking bread and injera, the roasting of coffee along with the burning of incense, the smell of firewood and smoke that rising from many households, the loud songs of churchgoers, the busy open markets and the noise of chicken and sheep on the streets during this time of year.
You might like to read more about Fasika here!
Roots Ethiopia is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working in Africa, specifically helping Southern Ethiopia. Roots Ethiopia supports community-identified solutions for job creation and education.
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