Easter

Easter History

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as narrated in the New Testament of the Bible. It is a central event in Christian theology and is considered to be the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The observe of Easter includes various liturgical customs and traditions that serve to reinforce the central message of Christ's resurrection, such as the Easter Vigil, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the proclamation of the "Alleluia".

The observance of Easter in South Africa has roots in the arrival of Christianity on the continent, mainly brought by European colonisers from the 15th century onwards. The development of a distinct South African Easter observance involves combining traditional Christian Easter practices with local customs and traditions. The Christian community in South Africa is diverse, encompassing various denominations such as Roman Catholicism, Anglican, Methodist, among others, hence, the observance of Easter holds varying significance for different groups.

In South Africa, Easter is observed with a combination of religious devotion and festive celebration. Church services are a key part of the event, with many South Africans attending special Easter Sunday mass. Often these services involve the symbolic use of candles, to signify Jesus's role as the light of the world. Additionally, communal meals and family gatherings are quite common, as is the exchange of chocolate Easter eggs, symbolizing the resurrection. Easter is a movable feast in South Africa, falling between 22 March and 25 April each year.

Facts about Easter

• For many Christian congregations, the first Easter service for the year is the Service of Light. The worship typically starts in darkness on the preceding Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Light is brought into the church with candles to signify hope based on the resurrection. The service culminates with the lighting of a paschal candle, signifying Christ.
• Easter eggs represent new life and also symbolize the shape of Jesus' tomb.
• The “pickled fish” dish is an Easter tradition in Cape Malay culture in South Africa. Enjoyed with hot cross buns, the dish is believed to emanate from the historical necessity to conserve fish during the four-day-long period over Easter, when fishing was prohibited.
• The Moravian Church, particularly in the Western Cape, is known for its celebrations during the Easter weekend. A Lovefeast, a meal shared among the congregation to strengthen unity and fellowship, is often served on Good Friday.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for Easter

Top things to do in South Africa for Easter

• Go to a children's Easter egg hunt or hold one of your own. Many churches have them the Saturday before Easter too.
• Cook an Easter dinner for family and friends. Traditional entrees include lamb or ham. During Lent (period leading up to Easter), many Roman Catholics exclude meat from their diet, so Easter is often indulgent on meat.
• Attend the National Arts Festival: This festival occurs annually in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) during the Easter Weekend. It includes exhibitions, performances, and workshops in various forms of art.
• Prepare traditional dishes for Easter, such as:
  1) Pickled Fish: This is a traditional Cape Malay Easter dish which is usually prepared days before Easter Sunday. The dish includes fish pickled in vinegar with lots of onions and various spices.
  2) Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread): Influenced by the Greek community in South Africa, this sweet brioche-like bread is traditionally made during Easter.
  3) Rabbit Pie: Given the association of rabbits with Easter, rabbit pie became popular. The pie is made with rabbit meat, vegetables, and aromatic herbs enclosed in a flaky pastry.