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All Ethiopian Christians observe the Easter Holiday. The Easter is a widely celebrated occasion throughout the country. Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar to determine Easter dates.
Ethiopia, the oldest independent nation in Africa, is a land of stunning natural beauty, and hosts a rich diversity of people with many cultural backgrounds, values, ethnicities, and religions! In a region dominated by Islam, Ethiopia has remained the only Christian nation in Africa that co-exists with Islam peacefully.
The Christian community in Ethiopia consists of a majority of Orthodox Christians (the type of Christianity that has existed for centuries in the land) and the vibrant and growing Protestant Christians who came to the scene about half a century ago. There are basic similarities in the way Easter is celebrated in both congregations. The one unifying belief is that both accept Christ as the Messiah who came to save the world from sin and gave His life for the redemption of souls. Both also believe that He is coming back to rule the earth from Jerusalem, the Holy City, according to Bible prophecy foretold thousands of years ago. Both congregations celebrate this special occasion with great anticipation and in a way that highlights the climax of the Christian faith.
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 at other occasions.
The Easter Holiday – Fasika is a Ge’ez (the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia) word and also the word in Amharic and Tigrinya for Easter. Easter is sometimes called Tensae a Ge’ez word meaning to rise). In both Kembata and Hadiya languages it is called “Shashiga”,originated from the Greek word Pascha In liturgical terms, it is referred to as “Tinsae” means “to rise”. Many devoted Christians also observe Palm Sunday known as “Hossana” and Good Friday “Sikilet”.
At the Easter service all Ethiopians wear a traditional white clothes, called Yabesha Libs
The week before Easter is commemorated as the week of the Celebration of Hosanna or Palm Sunday, when Christ came into Jerusalem sitting on a colt with multitude waving palm tree leaves. It is customary to tie palm tree leaves on foreheads or make temporary ornaments from the leaves during this day by the Orthodox Christians. In the days that follow after the Hosanna celebration, many in the Orthodox faith go to churches and prostrate themselves a number of times in the church to atone for their sins.
In the Protestant churches this season is seen as a special occasion to reflect on the price that has already been paid by Christ to atone for the sins of the world. Thus, this season calls for reflection into one’s lifestyle and considering whether one is living up to the liberty purchased by Christ. Protestant churches also believe strongly that Jesus is the only way to the Father and that no other way can lead a soul to the one true God.
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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 3am. When they return home, they break their fasting from meat and dairy products.
There is a lot of fasting in Ethiopia with 180 days of fasting through the year (almost half the year is fasting) and more for priests and monks and the like who fast for 250 days a year. Fasting means abstaining from and meat or dairy produce. Fish was traditionally allowed but it is now common for many to exclude fish too.
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.
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The preparation for this special occasion starts weeks before the actual Easter day. Families 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 in all families during Easter. It is accompanied by Injera (flat-bread made from Teff). The provision of 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 backed wheat bread) is another food with exotic look and taste.
Besides the religious aspect of Fasika, 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 emanates 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 enhance the holiday spirit, and spur beautiful memories.