A Ugandan Seder
Passover 2026 in Nasenyi
Our first Seder this year was not just observed, it was felt, deeply and sweetly, in a way that will stay with us for a long time.
As evening fell, we gathered as one community,..close, present, and full of quiet excitement. Some came dressed beautifully in kanzu and other African wear,
adding a sense of dignity and cultural pride to the night. It was a sight in itself: tradition meeting tradition, identity layered upon identity, all in one sacred space.
At the heart of the table was the matzah,..some made right here in Uganda by our own hands, and a few cherished pieces from a box sent to us by another community.
Each bite carried meaning: effort, connection, and a reminder that even in distant places, we are not alone.
Then came the singing.
We lifted our voices not only in Hebrew, but also in Luganda. Familiar Seder melodies flowed into local language, and suddenly the story opened up to everyone.
People smiled, joined in, stumbled on words, laughed,.. and then sang louder. It was no longer something being recited; it became something being owned.
The children brought a special kind of joy. When it was time to search for the afikomen, they scattered with determination, turning every corner upside down.
For a moment, it seemed like it might never be found,..adding suspense and laughter, until at last, success. Their excitement was contagious, filling the room with
pure, innocent happiness.
And the food… it was shared generously, as is our way. No one counted portions. Plates moved freely, hands reached out, and care was shown in the
simplest gestures. Among the highlights was the charoset,..beautifully made from groundnuts and pineapple. Sweet, textured, and uniquely ours. It wasn’t just a
substitute; it felt like a discovery. Honestly, it may have been the best.
This beautiful night was made possible because the people of the Nasenyi community gave from the heart. Everyone contributed in their own way so that we
could have a true communal meal, one where no one was left out, and everyone belonged. And beyond our community, support also came from our precious
friends from far away. Though distant in place, they were present with us in spirit, on our table, and in our joy.
To all of you who supported us,.. we thank you.
You made this day unforgettable.
There was a softness to the whole evening. A sweetness. You could see it in the smiles that didn’t fade, in the way people lingered, in the warmth that stayed even
in silence. This day truly put a smile on everyone.
And in the middle of it all, without needing to announce it, we lived the words: “Hineh ma tov u’ma na’im”, how good and how pleasant it is for people to dwell
together in unity.
This was not just about remembering the Exodus.
It was about belonging.
About taking an ancient story and letting it breathe in our language, our food, our clothing, our laughter.
I would say this was the best, not because everything was perfect, but because everything was real.
Sweet, joyful, and completely ours.
©
Contacts
Tel: +256 701926200
email: info@nasenyi.ug
Location: Nasenyi, Mbale,
Eastern Uganda