Ts’om

Ts’om is is a Ge’ez language word meaning fasting or giving up your desires. Ge’ez is an ancient spoken and written language that began around the 4th century AD and was the main method of communication in North Ethiopia and South Eritrea until the 10th century. Currently, it has become the Orthodox church’s language in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Lent is the Longest fasting time in the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church; they fast for 55 days. During fasting time, people stop eating all dairy products, they become more reserved and they give up what their body desires.