Meaning of Holy Week and Easter for African Matrix Religions

Learn how African-based religions celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

THE Holy Week and the Easter are two traditional celebrations for Catholics, evangelicals, Jews and other supporters. But then what happens in the African matrix religions? Do they celebrate Holy Week and Easter?

If you have this question and want to know how these celebrations work in religions that descend from Africa, then see below everything you need to know about the subject. understand the meaning of these celebrationshow they are celebrated across religions, and much more.

What is Easter and Holy Week?

Meaning of Holy Week

Considered a Christian religious tradition, the Holy Week it is a period when Christians celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Thus, the beginning of Holy Week takes place in the Palm Sundaywhich represents the entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem, and extends to the Easter Sundaywhich represents the resurrection of Christ.

Traditionally, each day of the Holy Week has a meaning, namely:

• Lazarus Saturday — celebrated only in Eastern Christianity. This day is dedicated to Lazarus
• Palm Sunday – represents the entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.
• monday holy – represents the arrest of Christ
• Holy Tuesday – represents the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary
• Holy Wednesday – represents the meeting of Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lord of Steps and also the Dark Craft
• Holy Thursday – represents the three gestures of Christ in the last supper. Also celebrated is the Chrism and blessed the oils used in the Baptism
• Good friday – represents the death of Jesustherefore, it is called Friday of passion
• Saturday of Hallelujah – represents waiting for the resurrection.
• Easter Sunday – represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ
• easter monday — celebrated only by the eastern churches. This day is a public holiday in some countries such as France and the United Kingdom.

Meaning of Easter

also called Resurrection Sundaya Easter it is a Christian celebration that has as its meaning the resurrection of Christ. So, for Christians, this is one of the main celebrations of the year, as marks rebirth to eternal life.

This date is so important to Christian religions because of the meaning it brings. It was on this date, according to the New Testament, that Jesus was seen as the Son of God. For Christians, the death of Jesus Christ symbolizes penance for the sins of the world. In the resurrection, which is celebrated at Easter, Christ’s penance takes on a greater meaning, as he goes to live next to God.

Who celebrates Easter?

The celebration of Holy Week and Easter occurs in most religions, although these celebrations have different meanings and names. In most religions, this period marks the retreat, the decrease in religious activities and the wait. At Easter, religions that do not consider Christian symbology see this date as rebirth, harvest and commemoration.

Even with different names and symbols, the period has the same meaning for many religions. This is mainly due to the popularity of Christian religions and their influence on the creation of other religions. See below how Easter is celebrated in different religions.

• Catholicism – Holy Week and Easter mark Catholic Christians as the period of renewal and deliverance from sins
• Protestantism – there are different meanings among evangelical Christians, but most believe that this period should be dedicated to the study of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, called the Messiah
• Judaism – Jews commemorate deliverance from Egypt on Passover and reaffirm the bond established with God

There are several religions that celebrate Holy Week and Easter or have their own meaning about the period. However, some religions simply do not give meaning to the Easter period, such as Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism.

In this list we do not include Spiritism, as this is a religion that does not celebrate Holy Week or Easter. However, practitioners of this religion they understand the period as a renewal of the spirit, that is, the evolution of each one individually.

African Matrix Religions and Easter

This is a very common question, for those who still don’t know much about African Matrix religions. Although there is syncretism between Entities worshiped in these religions with Saints seen in the Catholic Church, African Matrix religions do not celebrate Holy Week or even Easter.

In fact, religions like Umbanda, Candomblé, Quibanda and many others of African origin do not believe in the Bible. So it is easy to see that the meaning of Holy Week and Easter do not apply to these religions.

But we must consider that there is a very important factor which is the mixture of cultures, traditions and beliefs. Thus, some of these religions suffered a lot of Christian influence due to the period of slavery. At that time, slaves had to hide their beliefs from the Orixás, so they associated them with the Christian Saints.

So, in addition to syncretism, the commemorative dates of the Catholic Church were also present among the slaves, who disguised their cults to the Entities worshiped in religions of African origin. This mixture of elements ended up bringing some meanings to religions such as Umbanda.

In this way, even though there are no beliefs and worship to the meanings of the Bible, as is the Easter period, practitioners of African-based religions that have suffered this influence give a different meaning to Holy Week and Easter.

How do African-based religions understand Easter?

Not all, but some African Matrix religions understand this period of reflection.

On the Sunday that Easter is celebrated, in these religions the Orixás are celebrated with a great party.

But it is important to make clear that some apply some meaning to the period, as mentioned, but none of them consider the symbology employed by Christians.

Easter and Holy Week in Umbanda

In general, it is a time for reflection about yourself. Rethink attitudes, behaviors and thus strengthen yourself for spiritual evolution, always thinking about the purpose of charity.

that was what I hopesyncretized in Jesus Christ came to warn.

In this way, during this period, Umbanda practitioners can make their offerings not by feeding Oxalá, but by feeding their children who are in need.

Easter and Holy Week in Candomblé

During Lent, there is the celebration of Olorogún, where the Orixás and Voduns go to war against evil, to bring their children their daily bread.

In general, in Candomblé, Holy Week is associated with the Creation of the World. Thus, everyone should wear white, especially on Friday, as this is the day when the Orixás descend from Orún to meet the great creation of Olorun.

So, the offerings must be whitesuch as food, and offered to I hope.

Did you like to know a little more about the relationship of African Matrix religions with cultural elements of Christianity?

Take the opportunity to learn more about these religions here at . You can also schedule your Spiritual Consultation and receive guidance from the Entities of Light.