Koliva
Koliva, also spelled, depending on the language, kollyva, kollyba, kolyvo, or colivă, is a dish based on boiled wheat that is used liturgically in the Eastern Orthodox Church for commemorations of the dead.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Koliva is blessed during funerals, as well as during the memorial service (mnemosyno) that is performed at various intervals after a person's death and on special occasions, such as the Saturday of Souls (ψυχοσάββατο, Psychosavvato). It may also be used on first Friday of the Great Lent, at Slavas, or at mnemosyna in the Christmas meal. In some countries, though not in Greece (and Cyprus), it is consumed on nonreligious occasions as well.
Across the Christian Arab world, wheat berries are similarly prepared for funeral masses. They are boiled, then dried and topped with powdered sugar and occasionally garnished with almonds and candies as well. It is referred to by different names depending on region such as bleeleh, sleeqah, or rahmeh. Across the Levant, wheatberries are also prepared for festive occasions but then called by a different name (snuniye for a baby's first tooth or burbara when it is prepared for Saint Barbara's feast day, December 4.)
In Ethiopia also similar food is popular specially with the Orthodox Christian community, it is called "Nifro". Nifro is a boiled grain snack commonly enjoyed in Ethiopia, typically made from a mix of grains and legumes such as wheat, barley, and chickpeas. It is often seasoned simply with salt and sometimes accompanied by roasted grains or nuts. This nutritious snack is popular during holidays and special occasions, such as funerals.
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