Easter Across Africa

How do you spend the Easter break? Who do you spend Easter with?

Some people might… 1. Do an Easter egg hunt 2. Paint eggs 3. Receive chocolate eggs 4. Go to church 5. See family

How do people across Africa celebrate Easter?

Egypt In Egypt Easter is celebrated during a festival called Sham El Nessim (“Smelling of the breeze”). Easter is celebrated on the ‘Coptic’ (Eastern) Easter Monday. It is celebrated by Egyptian Christians and Muslims alike – it is a national holiday rather than just a religious one, just like in the UK.

Traditional activities might include: Painting eggs Eating meals outdoors Eating feseekh (fermented mullet) In Egypt, people usually go out into the country or open areas, such as by the river Nile, at a zoo or a park, where they can breath the fresh air. They celebrate this by taking a picnic with them.

At their picnics they might eat: Lupini beans Coloured boiled eggs Green Onions Lettuce

To celebrate Easter in Egyptian you say: المسيح قام حقاً قام Pronounced: el maseeh qam haqan qam This means ‘Christ is risen, truly he is risen’

South Africa Although 80% of the country is Christian, everyone is given the day off work so they can spend quality time with their family and friends. Easter in South Africa is celebrated on the same day that is it in the UK. In South Africa Easter Monday was renamed ‘Family Day’ in 1955.

Traditional activities might include: Eating family meals Drinking wine Spending time with loved ones

A typical menu for the day includes: Seasoned Lamb or Pork Yams Rooibos tea Mealie Bread (corn bread)

To celebrate Easter in Afrikaans you say: Geseënde Paasfees This means ‘blessed Easter ’

Kenya In Kenya, Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays, marking the long weekend commemorating Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. During all holidays in Kenya, school and businesses are closed. Many Kenyans who live in cities travel to rural areas to visit and celebrate with family members. They take the day to remember Jesus’ resurrection. This year it will occur on the 5 th April – like in the UK.

On Good Friday people may process through the streets, ending at the church for a service. The children carry palm branches and sing hymns. On Sunday there is a 3 hour long church service including gospel songs, prayers, bell ringing and Kenyan food. Nyama Choma (roasted meat) is a common treat

For the main meal they might have: Chicken stew Beef

To celebrate Easter in Swahili you say: Heri kwa sikukuu ya Pasaka This means ‘blessed be the Passover feast’

Ethiopia Easter comes at the end of a 55-day fast during which Christians have eaten only one vegetarian meal a day. On the eve of Easter, Christians attend midnight Easter Services at which candles are lit. In Ethiopia, Easter is called Fasika and is celebrated a week later than in the UK – this year it will be celebrated on the 12 th April.

Traditional activities include: Eating large meals Spending time with the family Exchanging gifts

After church on Easter Sunday, Christians break the fast by consuming: Teff Pancakes (made from a grass flour) Honey WineBeer

To celebrate Easter in Amharic you say: This means ‘Happy Easter’ Pronounced: Me’elkam fasika

Uganda Large celebratory church services are held. In church, prayers are said and the Easter story is retold from the Bible. Easter is celebrated on the same day as in the UK. In many parts of Uganda Protestants and Roman Catholics celebrate Easter together

Traditional activities might include: Singing Easter Hymns Exchanging Easter Cards Performing Easter plays and concerts Going on picnics Visiting far away family

At the feasts they may have: Potatoes Chicken Ugali Beans Goats meat

One of the official languages of Uganda is English, so to wish someone a Happy Easter you say: Happy Easter!

Where in world do they celebrate Easter? Your challenge is to name the countries that do not celebrate Easter, and to find out why.