Monday
Apr052010
MENA House: Celebrating Easter Monday in Egypt
Monday, April 5, 2010 at 8:21 
Christina Baghdady takes a look at a special day in Egyptian culture:n Easter Monday, usually following the Coptic Orthodox Easter, all Egyptians --- both Christian and Muslim --- celebrate. It’s an Egyptian tradition going back 4500 years, and we call it Sham El Neseem.
Pharaonic feasts were related to astrological phenomena and their relation to nature and life, so the Spring Feast was held on a date determined by the equinox. Night and day are equal when the sun rises over Aries on the 25th of Barmehat. This was the day that marked the beginning of creation.
The name of the holiday is derived from the ancient Egyptian harvest season Shamus. According to Plutarch's annals, the ancient Egyptians offered fiseekh (salted fish), lettuce, and onions to their deities on this day. Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Bakr, former chairman of the Antiquities Authority, explains:
The date of Sham El Nessim was not fixed. Rather, it was announced every year on the night before the feast at the foot of the Great Pyramid. The feast of "Shamo", meaning "renewal of life", was changed during the Coptic age to "sham" (smelling or breathing) and the word "nessim" (breeze) was added. The ancient Egyptians first celebrated the feast of Shamo in 2700 BC, towards the end of the 3rd dynasty.
Each of the foods consumed on the day --- fiseekh, salted and with a "distinctly strong smell"; coloured boiled eggs; termis lupin seeds; green onions --- has a particular story
.
Fiseekh represented fertility and welfare in ancient Egypt, During the Nile flood, fish were abundant and were easily caught once the water receded.
Fasakahnis, the people who prepare fiseekh to be consumed, prepare it in a traditional process, passed from generation to generation. Grey mullet is caught, piled high in containers, and left out until distended. When there is sufficient evidence of its putrification, salt is added and the fish are left to pickle for a few more months...et voilà, enjoy!
Some argue that fiseekh has too much salt and, unless you can get accustomed to the smell, it may not be such a pleasant experience. Moreover, if not prepared efficiently, fiseekh can have an adverse effect on one’s health: there have been many reported cases of fiseekh poisoning, and the Health Ministry has issued a warning that fiseekh can cause paralysis or death. They are on high alert, providing a 24-hour service in the ear, nose, and throat unit, X-rays, and blood banks.
Others disagree with the argument that Egyptians are good at preserving. It’s age-old tradition.
Coloured eggs symbolised new life in Pharaonic time. In ancient Egypt they were dyed and hung in temples as emblems of regenerative life. Green onions also seem to have a special significance; they were stuffed in the eyes of mummies and drawn on tomb walls. Today, the cultural myth is that the onions keep the evil eye away. Lettuce represents hopefulness at the beginning of spring .
According to the legends of Old Memphis in a 6th Dynasty story written on papyrus:
The pharaoh had an only child who was loved by the people. However one day the young prince was struck down by an unknown disease and bed-ridden for years, during which time the people abstained from celebrating festivals in sympathy for the king and his son.
The king summoned the archpriest of the Temple of Oun, who diagnosed the boy's sickness as having been caused by evil spirits. The priest ordered that a ripe spring onion be placed under the patient's head. The priest sliced a second onion and put it on the boy's nose so that he would breathe in the vapours. The prince soon recovered, and festivities were held in the palace to mark the occasion which coincided with the beginning of spring season. As a goodwill gesture for their king, the people hung onions over the doors of their houses.
Reader Comments (12)
"Others disagree, with the argument that Egyptians are good at preserving."
:-)
Thanks for this. I had no idea the ancient Egyptians practised this custom. Hanging up coloured eggs is exactly what Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians do, and here in Holland (perhaps Germany too?) they make Easter decorations out of coloured eggs hung up on fresh cut branches. I wonder how this got incorporated into Christian celebrations? Through the Romans perhaps, who always went gaga over all the latest trends from Egypt? ;-)
On another note, how did ElBaradei's visit to the the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo turn out? In this article from 3 April it says:
Mr ElBaradei announced his plan to visit the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo yesterday, to congratulate the Christian Copts of Easter. “We are a civil state in which all citizens are equal,” said Mr ElBaradei. “I believe that religion is for God, and the country is for all.”
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100404/FOREIGN/704039872/1002
Catherine-your welcome!
I think this got incoorporated into Christian traditions (with regards to Egypt) because Easter Monday is the first day of 'el Khamaseen'-i.e the 1st fifty days after resurrection. It's a possibility that the Copts simply inherited the traditional celebrations from their ancestors and adopted that into Easter Monday-Sham el Neseem-a celebration for all.
ElBaradei's visit to the Coptic Cathedral was fairly low key actually. Alot of influential Egyptian politicians, ministers e.t.c were invited including the US ambassador to Egypt.
I wonder how this got incorporated into Christian celebrations? Through the Romans perhaps, who always went gaga over all the latest trends from Egypt? ;-)
****
Christianity in Egypt goes back to the 1st century with St. Mark. The Christian 'Desert Fathers' lived there as well.
"Christianity in Egypt goes back to the 1st century with St. Mark. The Christian ‘Desert Fathers’ lived there as well."
Right, as well as (later) one of my favourite saints, Catherine of Alexandia. For those interested: A History of Christianity in Egypt, The Saints
http://www.touregypt.net/chiste3.htm
But I was wondering actually how the specific custom of hanging coloured eggs got into the Eastern orthodox churches. That's why I speculated that maybe the custom had already become established in Rome (and would have then spread to other parts of the empire), but I don't know. Do you?
PS I think by now Scott could take a shine to St. Catherine of Alexandria, too :-)
"Maximinus detained her in his palace and called for his scholars to try to trip her up in her beliefs either to make her apostatize against Christianity or commit a heresy against the Roman religion so that she could be put to death. Contrary to what Maximinus expected, she managed to convert many of his scholars with her eloquence and knowledge of both religion and science. "
I found this link for you.
http://www.theholidayspot.com/easter/history/icons/easter_egg.htm
"PS I think by now Scott could take a shine to St. Catherine of Alexandria, too :-)"
*******
I think so, but he's open-minded and is the son of a clergyman -- like me.
Christianity and Christian teaching is denigrated by the vast majority of colleges and universities in the West. Here in the United States, many courses/modules on all other faiths (Hinduism, Bhuddism, Islam, Sikh religion, Baha'i, etc.) are offered, but very few courses and modules are offered on Christianity. The reasons are political. A century ago, modules/courses on Christianity were not necessary because most people belonged to a faith-based community (the church). The Bible could be found in most households. These days, and especially with the enormous influx of Catholic hispanic immigrants from Mexico (where Christianity is thriving), such courses and modules are more important now than ever before. It is the only way we can successfully engage these new peoples, to understand them and meet their needs. I know because I work with them.
It is ironic that, in art history degree programs offered at colleges and universities across America, no modules are offered on the Old Testament and New Testament. The Bible is the key to understanding Western art and literature. Today's student of Art History will waltz into a museum, look at a medieval painting of Leviathan and say, "...My, what an impressive creature." He has no idea what he's looking at. And because he has no idea what he's looking at, the artist cannot communicate the theme and message of the painting. UK programs are also bereft of such modules.
http://www.american.edu/cas/art-history/BA-ARTH.cfm
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/arthistory/undergraduate/modules2009-10/#second
Dumb, isn't it?
Dave,
Dumb it is!!! Well said and being a Christian I totally agree with you. Many forget it was combination of Christianity along with Greek philosophy that trully brought about secularism. Many also forget the very foundations of our constitution, while secular, were heavily influenced by Christianity. I believe secularism is good but it gets bad when it completely drives faith out of the equation. We have the ACLU to thank for driving it out!!! Ironically the ACLU has very little to say about the form of Islam, Wahhabism, being forced on the US. Makes you wonder why they don't attack it with same vigor they do Christianity. I think it may have to do with the fact you won't be killed for speaking out against Christianity but you might be if you do so againt Islam. Frankly this is a problem the world over and especially in Europe where they are bringing charges against people for speaking the truth. At the recent Gert Wilders trial the court even aknowledged he spoke the truth but it was overuled because it incited the other side. My gosh we are guilty for speaking the truth now when one side has its feelings hurt. Thankfully we have the first amendment!!
Thx
Bill
Dave,
RE http://www.theholidayspot.com/easter/history/icons/easter_egg.htm
Very interesting and just what I needed. Thanks.
Bill,
I live in the Netherlands and just about anything that shifts its weight in the general vicinity of Geert Wilders is instantly reported on throughout the media landscape ;-).
But I've been at pains to find a report that reflects what you said above: "At the recent Gert Wilders trial the court even aknowledged he spoke the truth but it was overuled because it incited the other side." Could you post a link to a news report in which the court (do you mean the Amsterdam appeals court currently hearing his case?) admits that Wilders "spoke the truth".
Anyway, here's an overview in English of what led to this case being heard.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7842344.stm
The judges do not seem to have considered whether he "spoke the truth", but that what he said in their view incited "hatred and discrimination" and "went beyond the normal leeway granted to politicians".
Dave,
Re your post 6 "It is ironic that, in art history degree programs offered at colleges and universities across America, no modules are offered on the Old Testament and New Testament. The Bible is the key to understanding Western art and literature. "
I couldn't agree more. But things seem to have changed since when I studied literature and art history at both high school and university. Check this out - THIS was a mandatory course book for a high school class on Milton's Paradise Lost:
The Bible for Students of Literature and Art (1964)
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/jtmsell/items/The_Bible_for_Students_of_Literature_and_Art__1964_
Admittedly, it was a very progressive, "alternative" high school attended by a select upper class Jewish student body and one token (scholarship) gentile - yours truly. But still, it shows that the instructor knew his students would be scratching their heads at lots of New Testament references ;-). Anyway it proved to be an invaluable resource for all my subsequent art history classes. Being raised Catholic, *I* needed help with some Old Testament references :-). I regularly take it with me when I travel. It helps enormously when you're looking at a 13th century French Romanesque tympanum and can't make out who's who in the third or fourth row of statues.
Bill,
I completely agree with you about the christianity-secularism point:
'Many forget it was combination of Christianity along with Greek philosophy that trully brought about secularism. Many also forget the very foundations of our constitution, while secular, were heavily influenced by Christianity. I believe secularism is good but it gets bad when it completely drives faith out of the equation.'
On tha note the BBC did a programme-accessed via iplayer (if ur in the UK) relating to the above conversation...maybe worth a watch:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rx7tj/Are_Christians_Being_Persecuted/
Catherine: for a more detailed outlook on Coptic Christianity, you can access the synaxarium, which contains the daily Coptic Saints celebrations-under which emporer they were killed, persecutions e.t.c (as well as the 'Desert Fathers'-namely the first being St Anthony):
http://ukmidcopts.org/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=132
Thanks for the cool Coptic link, Kouki - very reminiscent of the Catholic calendars I grew up with :-). It's going into my reference works bookmarks folder together with Dave's amazing holidayspot portal.