These are six of Africa’s fascinating yet unique festivals

Sham El Nessim

Sham El-Nessim is the oldest Egyptian festival celebrated since 2,700 BC. It is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring. The day of the festival is a national holiday, usually a day after Easter.

Its time is calculated by observing the direction of sunlight at sunrise over the Giza pyramids, according to Egypt Today. On the day of the festival, children and adults decorate eggs in various patterns and share them.

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The use of egg symbolizes a new beginning and a new life. Over the years, the festival has moved from being characterized by just family picnics. It now has singing, dancing and other theatre performances that add color to the occasion.