Fasika Festival 2026: How is Easter Celebrated in Ethiopia?

Fasika in Ethiopia is a celebratory holiday that begins with climax festivities and culminates in a release of feasting, dancing, and singing. These jubilations not only depict the Christian celebration of Christ's death and resurrection but also highlight Ethiopian culture's remarkable richness and liveliness.

What is Fasika?

Fasika in Ethiopia is the Amharic word for Easter and refers to the 55 days when Ethiopians celebrate their most important festival of the year. This festival, which celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is one of the most longstanding within the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

When is Fasika 2026 - Ethiopian Easter?

This gets us to the main issue: Why does Easter fall on a different day every year? Why is it this year's Sunday, April 12, 2026, which is sooner than it was the year before? It can take place on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25 and commemorates Christ's ascension from the dead after his crucifixion. (That spans a large spectrum!).

The reason why Easter's precise date fluctuates so much is due to the moon. The holiday will fall on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first full moon following the spring equinox. The church always observes the vernal equinox on March 21, even though the Old Farmer's Almanac states that the precise date might change every year.

Consequently, why does Easter follow the Paschal Full Moon? According to Christian pastor Mary Fairchild's article on LearnReligions.com, early Christians desired Easter to fall on the same day as Passover because Christ's death and resurrection occurred after the Jewish celebration. The dates of Passover and Easter vary yearly because the Jewish calendar is based on solar and lunar cycles.

Enjoy the longstanding Fasika in Ethiopia

When does Ethiopian Easter fasting start?

In order to prepare for Easter Sunday, when Christ will rise from the dead, Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and abstinence (or 46 days for Orthodox Christians). Abstinence is the complete avoidance of a certain item, whereas fasting refers to limitations on the amount and timing of food consumption.

According to contemporary Roman Catholic church rule, meat-eating is prohibited on Ash Wednesday and all other Fridays throughout Lent.

The Great Lent is particularly strict for Orthodox Christians who use the Julian calendar since they are required to give up meat, animal byproducts, poultry, eggs, and dairy products throughout the full Lenten season.

Foods Suitable for the Fasting Seasons along Fasika

Many Ethiopians, especially those who belong to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, regard Fasika, also known as Ethiopian Easter, as a period of great spiritual importance. Many people practice fasting and refrain from eating particular meals during this time. Here are some things you can eat during the Fasika fasting season:

• Lentils: Since they are an excellent source of protein and are appropriate for vegetarians and vegans, lentils are a popular food during the fasting season. They can be made in a number of different forms, such as broth, stew, or salad.

• Injera: Teff flour is frequently used to make the native Ethiopian pancake known as injera. Ethiopians eat this frequently, and because it is vegan and free of animal ingredients, it is appropriate during the fasting season.

• Shiro: Usually served as a stew, Shiro is a well-liked Ethiopian delicacy prepared from pureed chickpeas, lentils, or other legumes. It is a wholesome, satisfying meal that is appropriate for the fasting season.

• Atkilt wot: Carrots, potatoes, and cabbage are the main ingredients in the veggie dish known as atkilt wot. It is an excellent meal that is also nutritious and suitable for the fasting season.

• Fosolia: During the fasting season, green bean dishes called "fosolia" are frequently provided as a side meal. It is easy to make and has a fantastic dose of protein and fiber.

These are just a few of the many meals that are appropriate for the fasting season along with Fasika. It is crucial to make sure that any food eaten during the fasting season is appropriate for the particular fast being followed and is free of animal products.

Foods Suitable for the Fasting Seasons along Fasika

Ideas for Breakfast During the Great Fast

Followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church fast from meat, dairy products, and eggs for 55 days prior to Easter during the Great Fast of Fasika, also known as Abiy Tsom.

• One well-liked morning option is "Beuyaineutu," which consists of injera, a spongy bread that resembles a pancake, covered with veggies and hot bean concoctions.
• Other options for food during the fast include porridge with fruit or honey, prepared from cereals and grains like barley, wheat, and teff.
• Additionally, some people choose smoothies that are suitable for fasting and contain fruits like avocados, mangoes, and grapes, along with plant-based milk.

It's crucial to remember that during this period, adherents of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church fast until midday, so breakfast is typically eaten later in the day.

How is Fasika celebrated in Ethiopia?

Orthodox Christians will kneel and stand up during the Paschal Vigil on Easter Saturday until they are too exhausted to continue. Before dancing and music commence until the early hours of the morning, the vigil begins with solemn and religious reflections. A symbolic chicken is slaughtered at 12 o'clock, and at 3 o'clock, everyone goes back to their homes to break their fast with their families.

Orthodox Christians will kneel and stand up during the Paschal Vigil

On Good Friday, the ceremony gets underway. White-clad pilgrims pack the churches as they worship, relax, and pay attention to the priests. The festivities have a spiritual seriousness to them as priests and deacons sing for long periods of time amid the rhythmic jingling of bells and drumming.

Fasika in Ethiopia is held in every church of Lalibela, and tourists are free to visit one after another.

The pilgrims themselves travel between churches while wearing white shawls, kneeling a precise number of times based on the vows they made to God in return for specific prayers being answered.

Fasika in Ethiopia, as it's named, is undoubtedly one of the most colorful religious celebrations of the year, and a trip to Ethiopia is definitely a feast for photographers and cultural enthusiasts. Ethiopia is known for its beautiful religious festivals, and now that traveling is easier than ever, we'd like to offer some experiences from the most convenient e-visa application procedure for tourists. Visit the Ethiopia Immigration Service website for more information and other extra services. We'll be waiting for you there!