Women get involved in the making of Balabesa in Izbat Rufail
The creation of Balabesa involves cutting the top of an orange, followed by hollowing it out and then carving crosses around the peel. Once this is done, small holes are created for string to be passed through to create a makeshift lantern, a candle is then placed in the original hole carved at the top and lit.
A group of women in Izbat Rufail, a small village in the North of Egypt to the east of the River Nile, were actively engaging in the revival of Coptic heritage through the creation of Balabesa, a symbol related to Eid El Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany).
A large group of women were involved in a day full of activities related to Eid El Ghettas and the making of Balabesa in act of the revival of their heritage.
Mervat Philip, a woman from the community in Izbat Rufail was absolutely delighted to be involved, she said: “To be honest the Balabesa is something I had seen online, but never got the chance to be involved in the making of it.
“I think it’s a great idea [The making of the Balabesa] and it really brought joy to me. We had a desire to resemble our old heritage and how they used to make it back then – Today, we were able to do that, and the Balabesa turned out wonderful.
“I was really happy to be able to get involved with the group of women here, it feels like a family.”
Some volunteers from the village church got involved in teaching the group of women the history of Eid El Ghettas, and the symbolism associated with the Balabesa.
A volunteer also taught all the women how to make the Balabesa step by step.
Father Benjamin, from the Coptic Orthodox church in Izbat Rufail, said: ”I think it’s wonderful that we are thinking about reviving our Coptic heritage.
“It’s beautiful to see the community of women here getting involved in the traditions and immersing themselves in the heritage, specifically this week with Eid El Ghettas.”
Sunday school children make Belabesa in Mir
The activity involves cutting the top of an orange, followed by hollowing it out and then carving crosses around the peel. Once this is done, small holes are created for string to be passed through to create a makeshift lantern, a candle is then placed in the original hole carved at the top and lit.
Sunday school children from the village of Mir to the west of the River Nile participated in reviving Coptic heritage through the making of Balabesa, related to the Egyptian festival known as Eid El Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany).
Around 30 children ages 4-10 from the local church Sunday school were involved in making Balabesa, a symbol most commonly attributed with the Epiphany, and learning about Eid El Ghettas.
Miriam Marzak, a volunteer from the local church in Mir, shared how the day was special for herself and the children as it was their first time making Balabesa and learning more about the history and meaning.
She said: ‘This was our first time making Balabesa and it all went fantastic, we’d never seen it before so it was quite special to make them and see how beautiful they turned out.
‘It was really special to get involved and see the children get excited by the activity as they enjoyed the activity.’
Miriam explained that the volunteers helped the children in making the Balabesa with every step.
Whilst the children were involved in the activity they would be told more about the history of Eid El Ghettas and the meaning behind the Balabesa.
Milad Sidqi, one of the children who participated in the activity and made a Balabesa, shared his joy and excitement..
He said: ‘I was really happy to make the Balabesa, and that the volunteers played games with us.
‘We learnt how to make Balabesa and it was just so much fun, when I get home I’ll be sharing it with my family and friends and teach them about the Balabesa.’
Secondary school students make Balabesa in Ballut
The activity involves cutting the top of an orange, followed by hollowing it out and then carving crosses around the peel. Once this is done, small holes are created for string to be passed through to create a makeshift lantern, a candle is then placed in the original hole carved at the top and lit.
In the village of Ballut to the west of the River Nile, secondary school students from the local institute participated in reviving Coptic heritage through the making of Balabesa, related to the Egyptian festival known as Eid El Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany).
Forty-two students aged between 13-17 got involved in the making of Balabesa, a symbol most commonly attributed with the Epiphany, at their local church.
Christine Salah, a volunteer from the wider community of El Qusiya, shared how the making of Balabesa was being used as an instrument to revive Coptic heritage.
She said: ‘It was a great opportunity to get involved with the local community here in Ballut and actively revive heritage through activities like making Balabesa.
‘It was great to see the secondary students learn about the Balabesa, its meaning and the history behind the activity.
‘They were all actively involved and really took to learning and having fun with each other as they worked together as a unified community.’
The volunteers taught each of the students how to make the Balabesa step by step, and were also there in case any of them needed help using a knife to cut open or carve into the oranges.
Martina Saad, one of the local students who got involved on the day, shared how much she enjoyed learning about and making Balabesa.
She said: ‘I really enjoyed making the Balabesa and finding out the meaning behind it, it’s something we should be doing every year!
‘When I get home, I will be telling my younger siblings about the Balabesa and show them what we made today so that they could make one too.’
Scouts make Belabesa in Al Qusiyyah
The activity involves cutting the top of an orange, followed by hollowing it out and then carving crosses around the peel. Once this is done, small holes are created for string to be passed through to create a makeshift lantern, a candle is then placed in the original hole carved at the top and lit.
Scouts in the city of Al Qusiyyah to the west of the River Nile have been reviving Coptic heritage through traditional activities related to the Egyptian festival known as Eid El Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany).
Dozens of children aged 11-16 from the scouts in the city, were invited to participate in creating Balabesa, a symbol most commonly attributed with the Epiphany, at their local church.
The day also included musical activities as well as the uncovering and revival of Coptic heritage.
Mariam Makram, a volunteer in the community, was delighted to get involved with the activities and also helping the children in reviving their heritage.
‘It was really great to get involved and learn how to make the Balabesa, I had heard about it before but never really had the chance to make it – It was especially great to see all the children getting involved and enjoying themselves in the activities.
‘The kids were really dedicated to making the Balabesa, and how each step was done. They were getting really passionate and involved and it was lovely to see and be a part of.
‘It was beautiful to truly immerse ourselves in the heritage and in the meaning behind Epiphany.’
Many of the children were capable of following each step themselves, adult volunteers were there to help and hold the knife and cut the top of the orange.
The children would then sculpt the cross into the orange peel and create the holes for the string.
Mayvin Magdy, a scout who got involved on the day, was absolutely thrilled with making the Balabesa.
She said: ‘I really enjoyed getting involved in the activities today, as it was my first time hearing about the Balabesa and making one too.
‘It was a fun day and we learnt a lot about the Balabesa and Eid El Ghettas – When I get home I’ll be telling all my family about it, and teaching them how to make it too.’
Children make Belabesa in At Tatalyah
The revival of a traditional Egyptian festival known as Eid El Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany) is being brought to the forefront in a Coptic church in the village of At Tatalyah just west of the river Nile.
Around 55 ‘excelling’ children from the third and fourth year of the deacon choir at the church, were invited to participate in creating Balabesa, a symbol most commonly attributed with the Epiphany.
The children, ranged from age 11 to 15, had an adult youth volunteer with them who would hold the knife and cut the top of the orange – the children would then empty the orange into a plate.
They would then return it to the youth worker, who would sculpt the cross into the orange peel and create the holes for the string.
The children would then tie the knots and put the string through the orange peel to create the ‘Balabesa’.
Sawyrs Nady, a leading volunteer in the community, was delighted to see that children who participated the prior year were taking charge and helping this year’s participants, showcasing an act of passing down heritage.
‘There were kids who participated in the year prior who are in the 3rd and 4th year of the deacon choir, who this year were helping and showing the newer batch of children how to make the ‘Balabesa’ – They would finish before this year’s children, and help them hollow the oranges, whilst explaining the history and what the lantern means.’
Sawrys explained how some of the children came up to him to say that they ‘have to make the Balabesa every year’ and they have to ‘share it with our brothers/sisters and the community around us’.
Another volunteer said: “The Balabesa comes from an inherited legacy that has a long history – It would have been forgotten about and conquered, but thanks to the understanding of the heritage and the actions we have taken, like these activities, we are able to keep it alive.”
The making of Balabesa as an instrument to support independence in those with special needs
The creation of Balabesa involves cutting the top of an orange, followed by hollowing it out and then carving crosses around the peel. Once this is done, small holes are created for string to be passed through to create a makeshift lantern, a candle is then placed in the original hole carved at the top and lit.
Disclaimer – Families of the participants were keen that their children were interviewed about participating in the activity and be able to show their involvement in the activity with others.
In As Sarqana, a village west of the River Nile, Coptic heritage is being revived through the creation of Balabesa, a symbol related to Eid El Ghettas (the feast of immersion, more commonly known in the West as Epiphany) – The activity was also being used as a vehicle to support independence in adults and children with special needs in the community.
More than 12 men, women and children with special needs were involved in a day full of activities related to Eid El Ghettas and the making of Balabesa.
The day involved playing some games, creating Balabesa, crosses made of sugar cane stalks and also learning about the history of the Eid El Ghettas and its importance in the Coptic community.
Mirna Ayed, a volunteer who was involved in the day, said: ”This was my first time volunteering with people with special needs, and I felt so happy to be able to have the opportunity to do so.
“It was great to see that they were treated with respect during the whole day by all the members of the volunteer group.
“We all really enjoyed getting involved in the activities together, it felt like we were all doing it as one and it was a joy to do so.
“It made me really happy to see everyone so joyous and that there were no barriers in our socialising – whilst also enjoying playing games, making the Balabesa together and learning more about Eid El Ghettas.”
There was a team of adult volunteers for the whole day,who would come in and help when they were needed in the activities. For the most part, those involved in the making of the Balabesa were capable of using a knife safely to cut the top of the orange and emptying the inside of it into a plate.
Mariam Samih, one of the women who got involved in this, said: “I’m very happy that we made the Balabesa – It was nice to put the crosses in the orange peel and see it all come together.
“This was my first time making Balabesa and I’m really happy that I was able to.”
For more information about the Egyptian Fesitval known as Eid El Ghettas and its history click here.