On Monday this week, the quiet peaceful banks of the Nile let place to a happy crowd. Families and children come to celebrate Cham-el-Nessim, the beginning of Spring.
Everybody enjoys this time, children are jumping in the fresh Nile river, and families are sharing food, specially old and salted fish (Fiseekh) with eggs, onions and salad, cooking in different ways. It’s exactly the day following the Coptic Easter, it was really a lucky day with a fantastic weather.
The festival was already celebrated in ancient time to honor agriculture and fertility. Ancient Egyptians believed the vernal equinox as a new life, new cycle, and made rituals and offerings to the divinities. They prepared old fish kept in salt from the best days of fishing on the latest season to invoke the new one’s coming. Salted fish, lettuce, onions and eggs were significance of hopefulness, the safety of the soul and regenerative life.
In all Egypt, everybody enjoys the breeze of spring, going into green spaces or on boat by the Nile.
Don’t miss a felucca or traditional motor boat trip on this day! Enjoy the feast!
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