Easter is just around the corner and, like every year, we may be asking ourselves: Why colorful eggs? And why the Easter bunny? Our tradition probably has its origins in the 12th century. During Lent before Easter, eggs that had not been eaten were consecrated by the church and colored to identify them. This made it possible to distinguish them from the eggs after Lent. Later, people began to hide the eggs; since then, they have been seen as a sign of joy and resurrection.
But how is Easter celebrated in other parts of the world? Our colleagues in La Paz report on the "Semana Santa" - Easter in Bolivia:
92 percent of the Bolivian population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, which is why Easter traditions are very strongly influenced by the Catholic faith. The celebrations begin on Palm Sunday with processions and last the whole week. We call this week "Semana Santa", the "holy week", and it is one of the most important celebrations of the whole year.
While on Palm Sunday we decorate ourselves colorfully with palm wreaths and palm branches and parade through the streets, stopping to pray at various points, the processions of Holy Week tend to be very sombre: the highlight of Holy Week is on Good Friday. This is when images of the suffering of Jesus are carried through the streets of La Paz and the processors are clad in dramatic robes and hoods. This is to commemorate the agonizing death of Jesus. Things become a little more colorful and cheerful on Easter Sunday.
Another custom that still takes place in some rural regions of Bolivia is the so-called "Kespiyariña". This involves stealing a cow, llama or sheep from a neighbor after Good Friday. This robbery is considered legal among Bolivians, as Jesus is not among the living between Good Friday and Easter Sunday to punish evil deeds. Fortunately, this does not apply to all crimes committed during this time!
Even though we of course also take part in some of the processions and celebrate Easter traditions with our families, we are out and about with our mobile ambulances during the week: because especially during this time of charity, we must not forget that there are many needy children and people who urgently need our help.
