'Cakay Basjway'

There is a wonderful Arab tradition during the period of 'eid il fesah' (Easter time). There is a gathering of women - mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, distant Aunts and neighbours. The gathering is about cooking, reminiscing, meeting old friends and relations and creating kilos and kilos of these scrumptious cakes, known as 'Cakay Basjway'. They are made from figs and sweet lattice pastry. There are three different shapes - the crown, the spear and the sponge, all symbols from the crucifixion of Jesus. Despite the sadness they represent they are delicous. One of the delightful things about Arab culture, here in Israel, is the traditions that remain. Despite living in a first world country in the twenty first century, the women will always gather and create together. J