Fasting in Ethiopia

SUMMARY Through a combined anthropological and nutritional approach to the problem of fasting in Ethiopia, a discussion has been held of the cultural and social background as well as of the consequences of fasting on diet and nutritive value of the diet. The practice of fasting is based on a traditional theory of the nature of the world and of man, together with ideas concerning the symbolic value of food. The fasting diets, especially of the ½- to 3-year-old children, are significantly less adequate in calories and nutrients, except thiamin, niacin, and iron, than is the case during nonfasting periods.