Photo Gallery
Passion Play
How do you make Easter memorable in a country where the official calendar lists neither Christmas nor Easter as public holidays? For our international church in Tete, the answer was to retell the Easter story through drama in three of the busiest markets in the city. Crowds gazed in wonder as 'Jesus' dragged his heavy cross through their streets on his way to be crucified
The Devil
A larger than life 'devil' dances, writhes and screams his way ahead of the procession, drawing a crowd of puzzled onlookers wherever he goes. His cries of triumph later turn to horror
The Saviour
We lost count of the number of times our 'Jesus' was beaten and kicked by these soldiers. Pilate had condemned him and their job was to escort him to the place of execution
Comfort
Tradition tells of a woman, Veronica, who wiped Jesus' face as he struggled under the weight of the cross. Here she grants him a momentary pause from all the mockery and cruelty
"It is finished"
Having made his way to the other side of the market, 'Jesus' is crucified. Following his final cry, the actors sing a hymn as he hangs dead upon the cross
Burial
The body is taken away and the empty cross left in place, as the narrator reminds the crowd of the true meaning of Good Friday. The Devil, realising his error, has already fled
Resurrection
Weeping woman are greeted by an angel on Easter morning with news of life from the dead. Following a brief applause, a preacher steps forward to address the crowd
Filipe
The part of Jesus was played by Filipe, a Mozambican member of our youth group
Tendai
The part of Satan was played by Tendai, a Zimbabwean working in Tete. His costume and wig were modelled on a traditional witchdoctor
(c) March 2008