Fasika

Fasika is the Amharic term for Easter, and it refers to Ethiopians' most important celebration of the year, which lasts 55 days. This feast, which commemorates Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, is one of the oldest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Lentils, ground split peas, cereals, fruit, and various vegetable stews served with injera and/or bread are the only meals consumed during Fasika. During fasting days, the first meal is eaten after 3 p.m., except on Saturdays and Sundays, when a meal is permitted after the morning service.

On Easter eve, people attend church and light candles for a spectacular Easter mass ceremony that starts about 6 p.m. and concludes around 2 a.m. Easter is celebrated in Axum and Lalibela in the same way as the other festivals. Everyone returns home to break the fast with chicken or lamb slaughtered after 6:00 p.m. the night before. Easter, like Christmas, is a day for family reunions and exchanging gifts to express good wishes.

Date: April - May