Fasika in Lalibela

The Coptic Easter is one of the most popular holy festivals in Ethiopia. It is named Fasika, word that means Easter.

The country hosts ancient monasteries and churches, especially in the north, some dated centuries: from the Gheralta mountains in the Tigray region to Lake Tana, up to large cities such as Axum and Lalibela.

The major celebrations of the Ethiopian Fasika take place in Lalibela: thousands of pilgrims, wrapped in their white Shamma, gather inside and outside the eleven monolithic churches carved into the rock which are UNESCO heritage.

During the night of Holy Saturday there are the most intense celebration with prayers, songs and dances that last until three in the morning. Once the mass is over, the faithful start cooking food for the next day: after a long abstinence from eating meat, they prepare the meal for the next day.

The project has been published on Animal magazine n. 240 and win the bronze at PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris 2023 in the section Press/Travel.

https://www.animan.com/celebrer-la-fasika/

https://px3.fr/winners/px3/2023/13943/