Jam en-Nessim (Arabic) is considered one of the most long-awaited and colorful Egyptian holidays. شم النسيم, English. Sham El-nessim), which can be translated into Russian as «westerly wind aroma» or «flower aroma». This is a holiday of spring and the start of agricultural work. It is celebrated throughout the country on the first Monday after Coptic Orthodox Easter.
The history of the holiday began in Ancient Egypt, around 2700 BC. According to Plutarch's records, in the 1st century AD, the Egyptians donated salted fish, lettuce, and onions to their deities on this holiday. With the spread of Christianity, the spring holiday was combined with Easter. When Islam began to penetrate Egypt, Jam en-Nessim moved on to the Monday following Easter. It is on this day that it is now celebrated.
In Jam en-Nessim, the Egyptians prepare a special dish — «fesih», which includes salted fish decorated with herbs and beans. The fish is first salted and marinated for several months. Cooking such food — is a real art, and its secrets are passed down from generation to generation. An error in execution can lead to poisoning, which, by the way, often happens on holiday days.
Green onions also have a special symbolic meaning. Previously, it was believed that this plant drove away evil spirits. Also, according to legend, it was with his help that one of the pharaohs, especially those beloved by the Egyptians, was healed.
In addition to salted fish, it is customary to serve colored eggs and all kinds of plant foods: tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs. Colored eggs at the festival of Jam en-Nessim in Egypt — are the predecessors of Easter eggs. They were painted and hung in temples as a symbol of reincarnation. Egyptian painted eggs were often real works of art.
The spring holiday is a non-working day. All Egyptians, regardless of religion, celebrate it outside the home, in the fresh air (it is believed that on this day it has a surprisingly beneficial effect). Many families go out of town for picnics or just go for walks in parks. On the holiday of Jam en-Nessim, people seem to join the nature that wakes up after winter and celebrate the new green season with it.