Gambian Christians celebrate Easter

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Over the weekend, Christians in The Gambian joined the rest of the world, to celebrate the feast of Easter.

This day is celebrated by Christians all over the globe in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. Daily Observer went around to some churches and met religious leaders in order to see how the feast is celebrated. In Fajikunda Catholic Church, Father Francis Eyo told our reporter that Easter is a time of joy for Christian all over the world. He said in preparation for the Easter feast, the Catholic Church fast and pray for a period of 40 days. This he said, put them in good mood for Easter. “It is also a time of sharing with neighbours and loves once. The resection of Christ from the death is the most important part of Easter” he said.

In Abuko Church, Pastor Il-soo Kim in his sermon called on Christians to see Easter as an important event in the Christian calendar. He said Christ has died and rose on Easter day to save man from sin. "And only Christ can give peace to the world." Pastor said. He prayed for the blessing of Easter to continue showering on the people of the Gambia. The Daily Observer also met with Arret Gomez in Abuko who was preparing for Baobab juice locally called ‘Nanburu’.

She said it is a long tradition in the Catholic Church to prepare ‘Nanburu’ at the end of the 40 day fasting. She during the observation of the feast, the ‘Nanburu’ is distributed to friends and love ones within the neighbourhood, which is an act of giving arms to people. It is widely believed by many Christians all over the world that the risen of Christ on Easter day from the death has given him power over death. And that his followers has nothing to fear about death because the risen Christ has redeem them from sin.
Author: by Modou Kanteh