Easter

This photo shows a group of African people marching through the streets of Nigeria with palm fronds. They hold the palm fronds up high and smile happily. The image is a close-up of the crowd of people celebrating Easter together. The palm fronds are a symbol of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and are traditionally blessed and distributed on Palm Sunday.

Easter in Nigeria

For the estimated 78 million Christians in Nigeria, Easter has a special meaning without gifts. Traditions like the Easter Bunny or egg hunt don’t play a role. People identify with Jesus and his suffering and hope to be redeemed. The celebration of Palm Sunday begins with a 4-5 hour Mass and is accompanied by processions where participants sing and dance with palm fronds.