|
Spring… of what does it remind you? ... Of its warm and some time hot sun. Of its cool night breezes…of its unstable atmosphere which turns into rains in a matter of seconds... or of something else?!
One could not feel the existence of spring that passes between the cold winter and the hot summer, but one could not forget the bright and attractive colors of its flowers which announce, together with their beautiful smell, the coming of the season.
The ancient Egyptians loved flowers to such an extent that they take the lotus flower as a symbol of Egyptian civilization and also a symbol of both love and beauty that is exchanged by family members in spring festival thousands of years ago.
The pharaohs called spring festival "Shmo", namely. the day of life resurrection and were celebrating Sham El – Nessim "spring festival" on 21st of March according to the modern calendar AD with religious ceremonies. Then, with sunrise, Sham El – Nessim turns into a popular festival involving all social classes including the pharaoh and senior statesmen.
Egyptian were presenting the upper part of lettuce to the god "Maine" in sham Al – Nessim which they consider a day of fertility.
The statue of god "Maine" was usually put in the considered a festival by the ancient Egyptian is always associated with the sun and the river.
In spring, the Egyptians used to eat fish, onions, and eggs and there foods remain a traditional aspect of spring celebrations in Egypt until now.
Pharaohs first celebrated officially Sham Al- Nessim in 2700 BC, namely, in the late third dynasty. However, some historian confirms that Sham Al- Nessim was known within the festivals of Helioplis and the city of "Aon" in the era before the dynasties.
Sham Al- Nessim was associated with favorite and traditional dishes as well as habits and customs that became part and parcel of the celebrations.
The city of "Esna" south of Egypt, which includes a gross archaeological temple, was famous for making dried offering for gods inside temple. Since then, dried fish Aristotle age and took the name "Lathiopolis" meaning the city of fish of whit shells.
Celebration was held around the Nile banks, in the midst of parks and open spaces and that is what I invite you now …. Come with us to enjoy spring amid pharaonic atmosphere what has never changed over thousands of years.
|
