I will like to briefly talk about a season that is quit spectacular in the Christian community, even though its not all the denominations of Christians that gets to observe it but then the autudox church's still practice it, especially the (Anglicans and Catholic Church)..
I will be positing some little researchs about it daily for the next 40 days..
Please spare time to read the following document of Cultural and Religious Significance
The Lent Season..
Also known as a season for sober reflection and humbleness where Christians get to meditate about their own lifestyle and draw back to God both with prayer and fasting...
It mostly start with the Ash Wednesday where ashes are being marked on the fore head of believers showing and reminding them of the bible passage that says,
''from Dust you came and to Dust you shall Return". Gen 3vs19.
In history, there's a day called
It was also known as Mardi Gras, it marks a day to the beginning of Lent, this is a significant period for Christians to fast and do some penitence in the Christian traditions.
This very day is deeply rooted both in religion and cultural histories across various regions, both in Africa, Europe, and other countries.
The world have witnessed various kinds of traditions to this day, this reflects on customs and Christian influences.
According to researches,
#ShroveTuesday has roots in both Catholic and Protestant.
It can be observed in Anglican, Catholic, and other Protestant communities.
//The season of confession and preparation for Lent//
Then if we may ask, what does this really mean? ..
"Shrove" is an Old English word also called "shrive," it simply means confessions of sins and also receiving absolution.
In so many Historical events, it has always been a day when alot of Christians seek forgiveness before the solemn period of Lent (Banting, 2002).
There is another point of traditon know as Rituals and Symbolism
This mostly talks about the aspect of Shrove Tuesday where consumption of rich foods like pancakes or others foods,were they use both eggs, butter, and sugar as a tradition before the lenthen fasting ,
This tradions comprises of both the use of palm fronds from previous year’s Palm Sunday .
They are all gatherd and then kept safe till that very day were they get burned to create ashes for the Ash Wednesday,
(Phythian-Adams, 2014).
Some how the theorian known as (Phythian-Adams)observed that the burning of palms is practiced in various Christian cultures, denominations,
And so as time went by,
Alot of churches like the Anglican and Catholic churches observed this practices.
In my country Nigeria,
Christianity has its own major role in shaping religious festivals.
Examples of such influence includes some acts and practices which have shaped alot of things in a Nigerian Christian home..
Pentecostalism, in its own way have influenced the manner in which religious events like Lent are observed
According to the writer Wariboko,
In 2004 he observed that religious sites serve as focal points for various Christian observances, including Lenten preparations.
While this might be different views we also have alot of people from the Caribbean associated with Carnival, especially in places like Trinidad and Tobago,
This places have evolved from the French Catholic tradition of Mardi Gras. To the festival that elaborate and carries masquerades which also include the burning of materials like palm fronts and others from the
reminiscent of earlier festivals.
These are just some earlier adoption of what lent entrails,
In my next document I will be talking more of why these traditons are being kept in check till this day, espcially when alot have changed but still alot of other churches still practice it in fait and patience.