ADDIS ABABA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Christians on Sunday marked Fasika holiday, the Ethiopian Easter, amid widespread call for strengthening national unity.
Millions of Orthodox faithful across the East African country on Sunday celebrated Fasika as per the traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, a week after the rest of the world celebrated Easter.
Ethiopia follows the Eastern Orthodox calendar, which follows a unique calendar that marks Easter, as well as Christmas and New Year, separately from that of the widely used Gregorian calendar.
Fasika, an Amharic term for Easter, follows two months of fasting period, in which Orthodox followers participate in a night-long church service on the eve of Easter across Churches in the country on Saturday night.
On Sunday, families sit together around tables to enjoy the special dishes prepared for the feast, while relatives and neighbors visit each other and exchange special greetings of the season, and dine together.
At the household level, families purchase chicken, sheep, goats, and oxen while preparing special bread locally called "Diffo" in the Amharic language, as well as drinks of house-made beer, "Tella," and a honey-wine "Tejj."
The coffee ceremony, which is held at ordinary times at household level, is also a major event during Easter and other major holidays.
The coffee ceremony is conducted differently and colorfully on such occasions, which also serve as a family reunion by bringing together relatives and family members together.
Amid Fasika celebrations, Ethiopians have been urged to maintain the long-standing peace and togetherness towards the country's socioeconomic development.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a statement issued on Saturday urged Ethiopians, from all walks of lives, to use the special occasion towards promoting unity and togetherness.
He stressed the need to unite and fight against various challenges that are affecting the country's development, which includes corruption and maladministration.
Ahmed also urged togetherness against "destabilizing forces" that spread hatred among the different groups of the East African society.
The East African country, which celebrates its New Year on September 11, uses its own calendar with 13 months. Each of the 12 months has 30 days, while the 13th month called "Pagume" has five days, which becomes six during leap years.
