Business during the Lent season

Easter like most religious holidays has two sides; the religious and the commercial sides. The religious side of Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus on the third day (Easter Sunday) after His crucifixion on Good Friday. However, before this celebration is the Lent period where Christians bound by their faith desist from eating beef and drinking alcohol. Many Christians especially Catholics observe this obligation on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Most faithful Christians however, extend, it to all other Wednesdays and Fridays during the 40 holy days. Hence, lent season to some hoteliers and bar owners translate to loss of business. “You may not believe it, but we have reduced the amount of beef we prepare for our customers since the beginning of Lent, I never thought Lent period would affect me this much!” said Lea Mbabazi, the owner of New Dawn Restaurant at Kicukiro Centre. While some hotels, restaurants and bar owners feel the pinch of Lent, some are not affected at all. “Business during Lent is as usual, people enjoy meat and beers everyday! Maybe all my customers are pagans and don’t care about Lent,” joked Sano Wilson the proprietor of Antique Bar at Kimihurura. True to Sano’s word, there are several Christians who perceive Lent as another season and do not attach much to it. As the season folds up, those who had suspended visiting bars can’t wait to go back to their favorite joints to knock themselves out! To all of you who fasted and sacrificed, Happy Easter and for the business people who made losses you’ll agree with me that this has been one long season. martin.bishop18@yahoo.com