Festivals & Traditional Events

We Ethiopians are known by celebrating several unique festivals. The best known’s are Genna (Ethiopian Christmas. Jan 7th), Timket (Ethiopian epiphany Jan 19th ), Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year. sep, 11th) Meskel (the finding of the true cross. sep 27th ). Enkutatash is celebrating throughout the country. The other three festivals are celebrated and associated with the dominant religion Orthodox Christians.

Enkutatashi

This is the most important secular holiday in Ethiopia. It is celebrated beautifully throughout the country. A person wishes and plans a new life formula them-self and to their close family and friends when they celebrate together as Ethiopians have a Tiete social life. It has a similar celebration atmosphere in the whole part of the country. Sep 11th

Meskel

The legendary festival. celebrated by dominant religion orthodox. it has been an official holiday since the time of emperor Haile silassie. The Meskel celebration includes the burning of a large bonfire, local name is Demera, based on the belief that Queen Eleni, as she is known, had a revelation in a dream. She was told that she should make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the true cross was buried. So she ordered the people of Jerusalem to bring wood and make a huge pile. After adding frankincense to it the bonfire was lit and the smoke rose high up to the sky and returned to the ground, exactly to the spot where the Cross had been buried. Sep 27th
Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)
The Christmas in Ethiopia locally called Liddet or Genna. The same festival to celebrate birth of Christ Jesus as another part of Christian world, but different in calendar Dec 25th to Jan 7th. Genna is a family-oriented holiday. But there is no a strong tradition of giving gifts. In some areas it just happen by local festivities such as local traditional dancing as well as hockey games in the northern highland of Ethiopia.

Timket (epiphany)

This is a three days festival continuously from Jan 18th 20th. The orthodox priests and deacons do a colorful procession during tabot is removed from the church. Thousands of eager participant come and surrounded the church to celebrate together and take the tabot (replica ark of the covenant) with priests to the ritual site for overnight. This is by 18th of Jan
The next day by noon on Timqat Day a large crowd has assembled at the ritual site, those who went home for a little sleep having returned, and the Holy Ark is escorted back to its church in colorful procession and festivities. The clergy, bearing robes and umbrellas of many hues, perform rollicking dances and songs; the elders march solemnly with their weapons, attended by middle-ages men singing long-drawn, low-pitched voices; and the children run about with sticks and games. Dressed up in their finest, the women chatter excitedly on their one real day of freedom in the year. The young braves leap up and down in spirited dances, tirelessly repeating rhythmic songs. When the Holy Ark has been safely restored to its dwelling-place, everyone goes home for feasting. At most the festival will happen later by family gathering to eat and drink together. By this time young people’s go to the bar in the night for another festival party.

Ashenda Festival

Ashandye /Ashenda, one of the great festivals which are unique for Lasta lalibela and further North like Sekota and Tigray, which takes place in August to mark the ending of fasting called filseta.(The time of the annunciation of saint virgin marry). It is an event most yearned by girls. Young girls dressed in beautiful traditional outfits and in small groups, go from house to house singing and dancing. The name of the festival “Ashenda” comes from the name of a tall grass that the girls make in to a skirt and wear it around their waist as a decoration
Irecha
This festivity is celebrated on Sunday that comes following meskel. Irecha means, according to Oromo’s, Thanks giving day to their “Waqa “or God. At national level, it is celebrated in Bishoftu town in Oromyia region in Lake Hora Arsedi. On the festival Community leaders and Aba Gadas address thanks to WAQA for the blessed transition from the rainy season which is normally considered as dark to the bright and colorful season autumn (Birra). On the day different cultural dressings give a very majestic to the environment and hence worth visiting.

Irecha

This festivity is celebrated on Sunday that comes following meskel. Irecha means, according to Oromo’s, Thanks giving day to their “Waqa “or God. At national level, it is celebrated in Bishoftu town in Oromyia region in Lake Hora Arsedi. On the festival Community leaders and Aba Gadas address thanks to WAQA for the blessed transition from the rainy season which is normally considered as dark to the bright and colorful season autumn (Birra). On the day different cultural dressings give a very majestic to the environment and hence worth visiting.