Learn all about the Spring Festival
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m John, and you're listening to Lesson 3. Spring Festival. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [شم النسيم (šam el-nisīm)]. |
| In this lesson, we are going to talk about an important festival for all Egyptians, which dates back more than 4,700 years, to the era of the Pharaohs. This festival is celebrated in spring, on the first Monday after Easter. The name [شم النسيم (šam el-nisīm)] is derived from the word "Shemu" from the Egyptian language, which means "festival of creation" or "revival" as the breeze (el-nisīm) always comes in the spring, when flowers bloom and plants come out of the earth. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| Why do Egyptians eat eggs and fish during the Spring Festival? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| During the Spring Festival, Egyptians go out to celebrate in parks, or [جنينة (gnenah)], and on Nile cruises, or [رحلة نيلية (reḥlah nīliyyah)], to spend the whole day surrounded by nature and enjoying the scent of flowers blooming in the spring. Ancient Egyptians used to celebrate the Spring Festival in the same manner. |
| The most popular activity for children during Spring Festival is to color eggs. Children enjoy decorating eggs with delightful colors and drawing beautiful and cheerful shapes. The colors are usually made of natural materials, which are not harmful. For instance, red is obtained from hibiscus, or [كركدية (karkadīh)], and yellow from turmeric or [كركم (korkom)]. |
| On this day, Egyptians like to eat fermented, salted, and dry fish, the preparation process for which seems to be the same used by Ancient Egyptians. |
| Some Egyptian people start their day on Spring Festival by smelling an onion, or [بصل (baṣal)], then they throw it away and smell a flower or [زهرة (zahara)]. The onion symbolizes the previous year with all the bad things it has, while the flower symbolizes the new year and the hope that it will be full of flowers, optimism, and joy. |
| And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz. |
| Why do Egyptians eat eggs and fish during the Spring Festival? |
| It’s because eggs symbolize life, while fish symbolizes Egyptians' love and respect for the Nile. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you celebrate spring? |
| Let us know in the comments below and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء(ʾilā al-liqaāʾ) |
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