When did the The Day of our Lady of Africa start?
About The Day of our Lady of Africa Holiday
The Day of Our Lady of Africa, or Festa of Our Lady of Africa, is a traditional festival that is celebrated annually in the city of Tunis, Tunisia on the first Sunday after August 15th. This holiday honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrating her appearance in 1496 to the King of Tunis.
The festival typically begins with a religious service in the Cathedral of Tunis, in which priests and civilians alike honor Mary’s intercession in the city. Following the service is a lively procession throughout the city, where children, teenagers, and adults alike carry images of the Virgin Mary to various holy sites throughout the city and culminating at the Castle of St. Louis. The procession is usually filled with music, singing, and laughter as all share in the joyous celebration. Following the procession, there is often a large feast of traditional Tunisian dishes, with great variety of cuisines that are shared among the locals and honored guests.
The Day of Our Lady of Africa – Introduction
The Day of Our Lady of Africa (also known as Our Lady of Africa Day) is celebrated annually on August 21st and is dedicated to the patroness of Africa, “Our Lady of Africa”. This holiday is a regional celebration in multiple African nations, including Angola, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, and more. Our Lady of Africa is a religious figure in the Roman Catholic Church, and represents a symbol of hope and peace for all who practice the faith on the continent.
Historical Context
The idea of Our Lady of Africa as a religious figure and patroness of the African continent has its roots in ancient history. She is often represented by the image of Virgen de Africa, an iconic image of a Black Virgin Mary with a crown of stars, which has been an object of veneration in Antioquía, Colombia since 1653.
The most well known manifestation of Our Lady of Africa is in Algeria, specifically in the town of Notre Dame d’Afrique. This site holds an important place in the history of Catholicism in Africa. The basilica is a shrine to Our Lady of Africa and was first erected in 1872 to commemorate Mary as a symbol of hope for captives of the slave trade. This place of prayer and meditation served to remind the captive population that they would one day be free.
Though the basilica was destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt shortly after in 1954. Since then, the shrine has seen millions of pilgrims from across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
How It Is Celebrated
In many African countries, the Day of Our Lady of Africa is celebrated on August 21st or the nearest Sunday to that date.
Angola
In Angola, the Day of Our Lady of Africa is among the biggest events of the year. On this day, parades, processions, and concerts are held to honor Mary’s special significance to Angola and its people. During the festivities, traditional and religious songs are sung, and prayers and offerings are made in Our Lady of Africa’s name. The celebration culminates with a candlelit procession, in which many Angolans participate and carry a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Burkina Faso
In Burkina Faso, the tradition of honoring Our Lady of Africa is deeply ingrained. In the capital city of Ouagadougou, residents celebrate the day with song and prayer. On this day, thousands of Burkina Fasoans take to the streets to honor Mary and offer their prayers. During the ceremony, a statue of Our Lady of Africa is carried through the city accompanied by traditional African drumming, dancing and cheers of joy from the crowd.
Niger
In Niger, Our Lady of Africa Day is one of the most important religious holidays of the year. The celebration of the day begins with a special Mass, which is followed by a huge procession through the streets of Niamey, the capital city of Niger. During the procession, a special statue of Mary is carried from one end of the city to its center, where musical performances are held in her honor.
Mauritania
In Mauritania, the celebration of Our Lady of Africa is a solemn affair. On this day, prayers are offered in peaceful coastal towns around the country. In Nouakchott, a grand parade takes place, with special performances dedicated to Mary and her significance to the region. There is also a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Africa, which is carried around the city before being laid to rest in a sacred place.
Conclusion
The Day of Our Lady of Africa is an important regional holiday celebrated across many African nations, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania. This day commemorates the religious figure who holds a special place in the hearts of many African people. The celebration of this special day is a testament to the deep faith and history of those who call Africa home.
How to Say "The Day of our Lady of Africa" In Different Languages?
- Arabic
- يوم العذراء (ar-EG)
- Chinese
- 圣芭提雅 (zh-CN)
- English
- The Day of our Lady of Africa (en-US)
- French
- Journée de Notre Dame d'Afrique (fr-FR)
- German
- Tag Unserer Lieben Frau von Afrika (de-DE)
- Hindi
- हमारी देवी अफ्रीका की दिवस (hi-IN)
- Italian
- Giorno di Nostra Signora d'Africa (it-IT)
- Japanese
- アフリカのおばさんの日 (ja-JP)
- Korean
- 우리 여기 아프리카 의 날 (ko-KR)
- Portuguese
- Dia de Nossa Senhora da África (pt-PT)
- Russian
- День нашей леди Африки (ru-RU)
- Spanish
- Día de Nuestra Señora de Africa (es-MX)
- Thai
- วันพระอเมริกาของเรา (th-TH)
- Turkish
- Bizim Afrika Ayşe Günü (tr-TR)
- Ukrainian
- День Нашої Леді Африки (uk-UA)
- Vietnamese
- Ngày của đức bà chúng ta ở châu Phi (vi-VN)
The Day of our Lady of Africa Also Called
The Day of Our Lady of Africa is also sometimes referred to as the feast of Santa Maria de Africa.
FUN FACT:
In year 1921, The Day of our Lady of Africa is celebrated on August 5 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
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