Celebrating Easter in Ethiopia

By Eden Sahle
Addis Ababa, April 14, 2017 (FBC) -Accompanied with longer abstinence from proteins and animal products to fasting, Easter in Ethiopia is celebrated with big feast and lots of cultural and religious activities that will enlighten visitors.

Traditional holds that people in Ethiopia invite friends and family over and eat together. The celebration involves celebrating in gathering to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection where the public show love to one another.

If you enjoy festivity and big celebration, Ethiopia is a place to be. It has great destinations and celebrations that will stay in your mind forever. Get your hands on the festivals, the lip-smacking tastes of Ethiopia. The country mixes festivity and fiesta aligned with best destinations and mouthwatering dishes.

Easter is full of charming holiday vibe during the day and night time with so much outdoor and indoor activities. Handicrafts, clothing, leather shoes and bags price go down significantly offering luxury items without breaking the bank. It takes you deep into unforgettable experiences revealing its ancient wealth and traditions.

Easter Sunday takes place on April 16, 2017, around Ethiopia. Good Friday commences the biggest celebration where people worship, pray and fast. It’s one of the most sacred celebrations, people flock to churches for all day long and all night worship lighting candles, sing through streets enjoying a glorious display of celebration bells and chants from churches.

People attend churches dressed in white traditional cotton clothing and robs. Good Friday is a prayer time where almost everyone goes to church for communion and worship giving thanks and portraying love to one another helping the needy.

The celebration is marked by a passionate sequence of spiritual activities, traditions and festivities. Churches reconstruct biblical scenes, creating captivating displays and reenacting the events of Easter. The day is dominated by an atmosphere of joy, festivity and commemorating the holiday with thankfulness.

Eve of Easter is all about preparing for the Easter Sunday cooking to welcome large family gathering. Traditionally Easter lunch is the biggest festivity, consisting of the best of the local dishes. Easter holiday cooking includes several culinary varieties blending indigenous spicy ingredients and local famous breads including difodabo, hibest, anbasha and kocho.

The holiday dishes comprise of injera, large flat bread, and a variety of spicy stews with beef, lamb, fish and chicken creating a mouthwatering combination. Every household during Easter prepares a distinctive local dishes such as doro stew with boiled eggs, chopped collard seasoned greens, lamb, kitfo (minced raw beef), tibs (traditionally seasoned and fried meat) and gored gored (cubed raw meat) as well as sweets treats including cakes and sweet roasted cereals and pastries.

Fiesta starts early in the morning during Easter Sunday people dress up in their traditional clothing gather together for festivity having the Easter breakfast. Homes also have different set up with grass strewn, popcorn, traditional giant breads and coffee presented in the living room.

Buna (Ethiopian coffee) which involves a long process is served right after breakfast. Its tradition to roast the beans in the living room allows families and guests to inhale the refreshing aroma of the coffee vapors. The process is repeated with new roasting when new guests arrive.