Good Friday

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Kenya Series at SwahiliPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Kenyan holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 6, Good Friday. In Swahili, it’s called Ijumaa kuu.

Good Friday is a day on which Christians or Wakristo, all over the world commune to remember the death of Christ. It's an important day because Christians believe that it was on this day that Jesus was crucified on the cross so that we could be purified of our sins.

This lesson will highlight the way Christians remember the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in Kenya.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

Do you know what Kenyans usually eat on this day?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

Good Friday is a public holiday in Kenya, and people everywhere use the opportunity to remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Swahili called kusulubiwa kwa Yesu Kristo, in different ways depending on their faith. On this holy day, a commemorative service starts at three, the precise time Jesus is believed to have died. During this service, people join in on the carrying of the cross and receive the body of Christ.

Many Christians use this day to meditate, pray, fast, and repent their sins to reconcile their relationship with God. Catholics pray using the rosary, or rosari, repenting and thanking God for offering his only begotten Son to the people of the world.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

Do you know what Kenyans usually eat on this day?

Though many Christians regard this as a sorrowful day, people do invite their loved ones to their homes and prepare tea and hot cross bread, called mikate moto ya msalaba.

In general Christians eat simple dishes made of fish and green vegetables on this day, which is regarded as a day of mourning.

For those who are less concerned with religion, Good Friday is like any other holiday on which they eat and drink together.