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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in Egypt Series at ArabicPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Egyptian holidays and observances. I’m John, and you're listening to Lesson 2. Coptic Christmas. In Egyptian Arabic, it’s called [عيد الميلاد المجيد (ʿīd el-mīlād el-maǧīd)].
The Copts are an Egyptian indigenous group of Christians. In this lesson, we’ll see how they celebrate Christmas.
Copts in Egypt wait for Christmas Day impatiently. As you may know, Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. Though in most of the countries, it is celebrated on December 25th, the Orthodoxes, or [الأرتودكس (al-ʾurtūduks )], in Egypt celebrate it on January 7th, which is also a public holiday.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question—
Why do you think the colors red and green predominate on Christmas?
If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.
For the Copts, Christmas is the second most important Christian holiday after Easter. During the era of the Mamluks, Christmas was one of the biggest festivals. Churches used to be decorated and sultans used to give out candy, dumplings, mullet, and gifts to princes. There also used to be celebrations and fireworks. People in Egypt, regardless of their religion, used to buy colored candles and beautiful lanterns to hang them in shops and markets.
On Christmas, there are always religious celebrations and prayers especially for this occasion. Moreover, there are family gatherings and social celebrations, the most important of which are decorating the Christmas tree or [شجرة الكريسماس (šaǧaret el-krīsmās)], exchanging gifts, receiving Santa Claus or [ بابا نويل (bābā nwīl)], and having the Christmas dinner.
Interestingly, also many non-Christians celebrate this occasion in churches with Christians.
Coptic Christmas is a wonderful period for religious and social celebrations.
People also exchange gifts. One of the most famous areas in Egypt where Christians buy their supplies for the holiday is in Cairo and is called [درب البرابرة (Darb El-Barabra)].
In Egypt, Christmas comes after forty days of fasting and, usually, the Christmas dinner starts at midnight. The banquets are full of the most delicious, rich traditional cuisine that has been passed down from generation to generation. These foods include turkey, or [الديك الرومي (el-dīk el-rūmī)], duck, goose, meat pie, and a dish made of bread, rice, garlic, meat, and sauce which is called [ فتة (fattah)].
The smell of delicious food spreads around the majority of neighborhoods in Egypt at midnight.
And now I'll give you the answer to the earlier quiz.
Why do you think the colors red and green predominate on Christmas?
The reason is that the color green symbolizes "eternal life", especially for evergreen trees that do not lose their leaves, while the color red symbolizes Christ himself.
So listeners, how was this lesson? Do you celebrate Christmas?
Let us know in the comments and we’ll see you next time! Bye! إلى اللقاء(ʾilā al-liqaāʾ)

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