LALIBELA'S SWARM

This short documentary describes the Fasika, the Ethiopian celebration of Easter. During the Holy week, the most intense celebration begins on Holy Saturday and continues late into the night. Saturday morning, at the entrance of the churches, under a fig tree merchants sell blades of grass to passing pilgrims, which they tie around their heads to symbolise that the soul of Jesus has passed to the heaven. Pilgrims arrive to Lalibela and lie down on the ground in order to remember the sorrow of Jesus, wrapped up in a white shawl of rough cotton; symbolising peace and happiness. During the ceremony scriptures are read describing the miracles of Jesus just before his crucifixion. The priests circle around churches in order to invite God to receive the souls and thank the angels that help the souls of those who are desperate to enter paradise. The traditional sounds during the procession are emitted by Caberò, ceremonial drums and Sistri, ancient Egyptian metal instruments.