Fascinating Easter traditions from around the world
Christians around the world are celebrating Easter this weekend, a reflection on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The revered celebrations are the culmination of the Holy Week which begins with Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday, but each day in between comes with its own name and celebrations.
Good Friday which was celebrated yesterday this year marks the day Jesus died on the cross. Many observed the day by fasting and attending church services.
Tomorrow, Easter Sunday will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It will also mark the end of the 40-day period of penance called Lent.
Unknown to many, not all Easter customs are Christian; some, such as the Easter Bunny, are pagan in origin. Just how is Easter marked around the world?
Kenya
With eight in 10 Kenyans being Christians, the festivities are majorly marked with street processions to emulate the occasions that preceded the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Away from the churches, Kenyans visit their families in upcountry and flock holiday joints during the break.
Egypt
Easter is marked during a festival called Sham El Nessim (“Smelling of the breeze”) by both Christians and Muslims alike. Easter Monday is a national holiday rather than just a religious one, just like kunya.
Hungary
The European nation famed for its thermal springs marks Easter with a tradition of ‘sprinkling’. Boys often sprinkle perfume, cologne or water over a lady’s head, and ask for a kiss. According to the locals, water has a cleaning, healing and fertility-inducing effect.
Ukraine
Just like Hungary, they have a ‘Wet Monday’. They throw water over each other in a tradition connected with the baptism of Polish Prince hundreds of years ago.
South Africa
The country in 1955 renamed the day to ‘Family Day’ and is celebrated by spending time with your family and friends.
According to slideplayer.com, a typical menu for the day includes a seasoned Lamb or Pork Yams Rooibos Tea Mealie Bread (corn bread).
Sweden
In a celebration that might be mistaken for Halloween, children dress up as Easter witches with long skirts, colourful headscarves and painted cheeks.
England
Here, they celebrate the festivities by exchanging Easter Eggs and other gifts like clothes, chocolates or holidays packages. An Easter egg can be an artificial chocolate egg or decorated hard-boiled egg.
USA
The President will tomorrow host the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. It involves children rolling a coloured hard-boiled egg with a large serving spoon.
France
Known as Pâques, the French celebrate it with a lot of enthusiasm and zeal. According to travel blog ytravelblog.com, a giant omelette is made in the town Haux with 4,500 eggs to feed 1,000 people served in the town’s main square.
Also, the French mourn the crucifixion of Christ by not ringing church bells for three days.
Greece
According to BBC, in the Greek island of Corfu, old pots are thrown out of the windows on to the streets as an Easter Saturday morning tradition.It’s thought the tradition was copied from the people of Venice, in Italy, who throw out their possessions.
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