EASTER
All Ecuadorians know, regardless of religion, which in late March or early April comes Holy Week, after meeting Lent, counting from Carnival
festivities.
All around the world, Easter and Easter are key dates in the Christian calendar. The Week, as it is also known, officially begins with Palm Sunday, in which the branches of different designs, made of palm fibers, are blessed during Masses celebrated throughout this day; and culminates on Easter Sunday.
ORIGIN
Easter is an eminently Catholic and Christian holiday and was brought to Ecuador by the Spanish conquistadors in a time of strong influence of the Catholic clergy. Easter is a "mobile" celebration, ie does not have a preset date in the annual calendar and commemorates six weeks after Carnival, in remembrance of the Biblical story of Jesus fasting for 40 days in the desert.It is called and considered the "Holy Week" of Christianity because it starts with Palm Sunday in which the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem between olive branches, palms and crowds cheered and praised remembered. The week concludes the following Sunday, Easter, in which the resurrection of Jesus after his passion and death is remembered.
This is a celebration loaded with symbolism and ritual based on biblical accounts of the events of that intense week in which Jesus, after his triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, praised as the Son of God, he is persecuted by the Romans, betrayed by one of his own disciples, tried and sentenced to death on the Cross. In a few days he is of God incarnate in man to villain condemned to a shameful death. In the same week Jesus instituted the Eucharist during the Last Supper with his apostles.
After his martyrdom and death grim silence Friday and Saturday, Sunday when some of the disciples of Jesus concur to visit the grave where they buried his body, found the heavy stone that closed the entrance, removed and the empty tomb. Hours later, when all was distressed, not knowing what had happened, Jesus is presented to Mary Magdalene and asks warn his disciples that in fulfillment of Bible prophecies, the now resurrected and soon meet in heaven with his Father . That's the Easter Sunday.
FOOD
Fanesca
Ecuadorian Easter has, within the more popular religious imagery, a flagship dish is the "Fanesca" a cooked delicious to be prepared several days in advance and that involves working family where everyone shares the work preparation famous dish, whose origins date back to the early Christians, with some variants subsequently introduced by the Spaniards. Fanesca has a high ritual content and promotes family unity, sharing the food preparation and enjoy pleasant taste them at family gatherings. It also promotes solidarity because it is shared not only with family but also with friends and even poor or indigent. In several cities popular fairs Fanesca in squares and public places are organized, which are instruments of unity, friendship and the pleasure of sharing one of the most delicious dishes and succulent typical Ecuadorian cuisine, served only at that time.
The dish consists of a thick soup or cooking where at least twelve different grains are mixed; Dry (mainly cod) fish; milk, peanuts and garnish with slices of ripe (fried sweet plantain), flour dumplings and slices of boiled egg.
MOLO
RICE PUDDING
Rice pudding is a dessert typical gastronomy. It is served hot or cold. It is often sprinkle cinnamon, vanilla or lemon peel to scent it.
PIES MOROCHO
Morocho pies are a traditional recipe that uses Ecuadorian highlands morocho, a type of maize in the country.
SWEET HIGOS
They are one of those desserts that represent the essence of our desserts: delicious and simple, just the ideal to give that finishing touch to a good meal.
Molo is a typical Ecuadorian dish consisting of mashed potatoes mixed with fried onions, garlic and annatto.
Rice pudding is a dessert typical gastronomy. It is served hot or cold. It is often sprinkle cinnamon, vanilla or lemon peel to scent it.
PIES MOROCHO
Morocho pies are a traditional recipe that uses Ecuadorian highlands morocho, a type of maize in the country.
SWEET HIGOS
They are one of those desserts that represent the essence of our desserts: delicious and simple, just the ideal to give that finishing touch to a good meal.
MUSIC
ACTIVITIES AND
TRADITIONS
The most relevant on this date are being made procesiones so general in major cities of the country such as Guayaquil and Quito.PROCESION EN GUAYAQUIL (CRISTO DEL CONSUELO)
The image of the Christ of Consuelo venerated for over 50 years in the church of the same name, southwest of Guayaquil, is about 1.80 meters and was carved by the maestro Julio cuencano Sinchi. Faith Christ of Consuelo convenes every year more than 500 thousand parishioners from 07.00 hours to externalize their devotion and pay homage of gratitude.
It is considered one of the most important religious processions throughout the country and America. It takes place every Good Friday to commemorate the Way of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is organized by the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known as claretianos- in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Guayaquil.
The faithful accompany the image of the Christ of Consuelo -as well as the image of the Virgin Mary down the street "Lizardo García" due north to its intersection with the street "Azuay".
PROCESSION IN QUITO (Jesus del Gran Poder)
Thousands of devotees and traditional characters are part of the procession. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people attend to see the passage of the image of Jesus del Gran Poder.
A group of cones using their purple outfits in sorrow on this Good Friday is among those held in Quito the procession of Jesus del Gran Poder.
Dressed in period costumes, many Catholics seek thus become part of penitents and painful way of the cross in the traditional procession Quito.
In a living representation of the way to Calvary, a citizen Jesus Christ took on the task of loading the tree.
EASTER IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Easter in Mexico is a combination of Easter and Easter Week, resulting in two weeks of religious celebrations, festivals, is a celebration of great importance.
Mexicans take these palms of the church and take them to their homes, to place behind the door for protection. A year later, they have to return those same palms to the church, to be burned and turned into ashes for a new Ash Wednesday. The next week takes place the celebration of Holy Week and children have two weeks vacation. Most banks and public offices have a holiday week, although the only furlough days are Thursday and Friday.
No tradition in Easter Week is not celebrated in particular, it is just an excuse for kids to have what in other countries is the Spring Break. Lately, however, and only in some regions of the country, the Easter Bunny has appeared, mainly due to commercial reasons.
U.S
Typically in the US is that Easter become a holiday week is customary for Easter egg hunts, or chocolate egg hunt, with children organized. This is often done on Easter Sunday. Families hide plastic eggs filled with candy or a little treat, and children find them.
Mexicans take these palms of the church and take them to their homes, to place behind the door for protection. A year later, they have to return those same palms to the church, to be burned and turned into ashes for a new Ash Wednesday. The next week takes place the celebration of Holy Week and children have two weeks vacation. Most banks and public offices have a holiday week, although the only furlough days are Thursday and Friday.
No tradition in Easter Week is not celebrated in particular, it is just an excuse for kids to have what in other countries is the Spring Break. Lately, however, and only in some regions of the country, the Easter Bunny has appeared, mainly due to commercial reasons.
U.S
Typically in the US is that Easter become a holiday week is customary for Easter egg hunts, or chocolate egg hunt, with children organized. This is often done on Easter Sunday. Families hide plastic eggs filled with candy or a little treat, and children find them.
