Easter is one of the most important holidays in Ecuador; They take a variety of celebrations and ceremonies in different cities out. Like most holidays in Ecuador - and Latin America, Easter has an important connection with food.
Easter is celebrated between the months of February or March and the exact date is directly related to the phases of the moon, because, on Good Friday always must coincide with the full moon. Based on these elements, they are recorded 40 days before Easter to determine, in turn, Carnival dates.
Easter: Origins and Meaning
Easter is an eminently Catholic and Christian holiday and was brought to Ecuador by the Spanish conquistadors in a time of strong influence of the Catholic clergy. Easter is a "mobile" celebration, ie does not have a preset date in the annual calendar and commemorates six weeks after Carnival, in remembrance of the Biblical story of Jesus fasting for 40 days in the desert.
It is called and considered the "Holy Week" of Christianity because it starts with Palm Sunday in which the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem between olive branches, palms and crowds cheered and praised remembered. The week concludes the following Sunday, Easter, in which the resurrection of Jesus after his passion and death is remembered.
This is a celebration loaded with symbolism and ritual based on biblical accounts of the events of that intense week in which Jesus, after his triumphant arrival in Jerusalem, praised as the Son of God, he is persecuted by the Romans, betrayed by one of his own disciples, tried and sentenced to death on the Cross. In a few days he is of God incarnate in man to villain condemned to a shameful death. In the same week Jesus instituted the Eucharist during the Last Supper with his apostles.
After his martyrdom and death grim silence Friday and Saturday, Sunday when some of the disciples of Jesus concur to visit the grave where they buried his body, found the heavy stone that closed the entrance, removed and the empty tomb. Hours later, when all was distressed, not knowing what had happened, Jesus is presented to Mary Magdalene and asks warn his disciples that in fulfillment of Bible prophecies, the now resurrected and soon meet in heaven with his Father . That's the Easter Sunday.
Gastronomical tradition
Ecuadorian Easter has, within the more popular religious imagery, a flagship dish is the "Fanesca" a cooked delicious to be prepared several days in advance and that involves working family where everyone shares the work preparation famous dish, whose origins date back to the early Christians, with some variants subsequently introduced by the Spaniards. Fanesca has a high ritual content and promotes family unity, sharing the food preparation and enjoy pleasant taste them at family gatherings. It also promotes solidarity because it is shared not only with family but also with friends and even poor or indigent. In several cities popular fairs Fanesca in squares and public places are organized, which are instruments of unity, friendship and the pleasure of sharing one of the most delicious dishes and succulent typical Ecuadorian cuisine, served only at that time.
The dish consists of a thick soup or cooking where at least twelve different grains are mixed; Dry (mainly cod) fish; milk, peanuts and garnish with slices of ripe (fried sweet plantain), flour dumplings and slices of boiled egg.
Fanesca certainly has certain variants, according to the towns and regions, for some of its ingredients and their garrisons. Usually it accompanied by "molo", a thick mashed potatoes and for dessert the popular "arroz con leche" is served, a sweet preparation of rice, cooked with cinnamon, cloves and raisins. Although the main day that traditionally is eaten Fanesca Friday, the dish it served in homes and restaurants for several weeks before the date until a few days later.
Consentracion places during Easter in Ecuador
Easter celebrations are carried out in various ways throughout Ecuador since the vast majority of the population is Catholic. Most of the events are liturgical character and take place in religious temples, but there are also large demonstrations and processions. Undoubtedly, most attention centers to witness these events are the cities of Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, but popular theater performances are also given in some villages of various regions, which recall the biblical episodes of that week.
Easter in Quito Ecuador
Thousands of devotees and traditional characters are part of the procession. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people attend to see the passage of the image of Jesus del Gran Poder.
Plaza de San Francisco, travel streets Bolivar, Venezuela, Manabi, Vargas, America, Riofrio, Venezuela, Manabi, García Moreno and Sucre are the places where the procession is done.
