Ethiopia has a number of festivals, many of them unique. Timket (the
Feast of Epiphany), falling on 19th January, is the greatest festival of
the year, followed in importance by Meskal (Finding of the True cross)
on 27th September. Easter is the most solemn of festivals but the
Ethiopia New year (Enkutatash) falls on 11th September in the Western
calendar. Christmas is celebrated on 7th January. Among the most unusual
of the country’s festivals are Kulubi Gabriel, Sheikh Hussein, Gishen
Mariam, and sof Omar. Crowds pray for health, for a new baby, for a
special favour or a good harvest, or to give thanks for wishes already
granted.
ENKUTATASH (NEW YEAR)
September
11, on the Western calendar, is both Ethiopia’s New Year’s Day and the
Feast of St John the Baptist. The day is called Enkutatash meaning the
‘gift of jewels’, when the famous Queen of sheba returned from her
expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed
her back by replenishing her treasury with fuku, or jewels.
The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside.
After dark on Year’s Eve people light fires outside their houses, and rush around with flaming torches, celebrating the passing of the old tear and the coming of the New Year. Traditionally young girls would pick a special kind of grass, called engicha or enqwutatash in honour of the event, and would go round signing new-year message of good will, and presenting the grass to whomever they met and would be reciprocated with a modest gift. New Year’s Day in Ethiopia as in many other countries is thus a time of tradition.
September
11, on the Western calendar, is both Ethiopia’s New Year’s Day and the
Feast of St John the Baptist. The day is called Enkutatash meaning the
‘gift of jewels’, when the famous Queen of sheba returned from her
expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed
her back by replenishing her treasury with fuku, or jewels.The spring festival has been celebrated since these early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside.
After dark on Year’s Eve people light fires outside their houses, and rush around with flaming torches, celebrating the passing of the old tear and the coming of the New Year. Traditionally young girls would pick a special kind of grass, called engicha or enqwutatash in honour of the event, and would go round signing new-year message of good will, and presenting the grass to whomever they met and would be reciprocated with a modest gift. New Year’s Day in Ethiopia as in many other countries is thus a time of tradition.
MESKAL (FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS)
Meskal, second in importance only to Timket, has been celebrated in the country for over 1,600 years. The feast commemorates the discovery of the Gross, upon which Jesus was crucified, by the Empress Helena, the mother of constant the Great. The feast is celebrated on 27 September.
Meskal, second in importance only to Timket, has been celebrated in the country for over 1,600 years. The feast commemorates the discovery of the Gross, upon which Jesus was crucified, by the Empress Helena, the mother of constant the Great. The feast is celebrated on 27 September.
On
the even of Meskal tall branches are tied together and yellow daisies,
popularly called Meskal flowers, are placed at the top. During the night
these branch are compound gates and ignited. This symbolises the action
actions Empress Helena who, when no one would sow her the Holy
Sepulchre, lit incense and prayed for help. Where the smoke drifted she
dug and found three crosses. To one them, the True Gross, many miracles
were attributed.Meskal also dignifies the physical presence of the True Cross at he remote mountain monastery of Gishen Mariame located in the South Wollo administrative zone. Aragment of the Cross was kept in a box of bold. The priests of Gishen still safeguard this treasure along with the Tefut, which is handwritten in Ge’ez on beautiful parchment.
During this time of year flowers bloom on mountains and plains and the meadows are yellow with the brilliant Meskal daisy. Dancing, feasting, merrymaking, bonfires and in the past even gun salutes mark the occasion.
GENNA (ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS)
The
Ethiopian Christmas, also called Lidet, is not the primary religious
and secular festival that it has become in Western counties. Falling on
7th January, it is celebrated seriously by a church service that goes on
throughout the night, with people moving from one church to another.
Traditionally, young men played a game that is similar to hokey, called
genna, on this day and now Christmas has also come to be known by that
name. This celebration is unique to Lalibela and attracts many visitors.
The
Ethiopian Christmas, also called Lidet, is not the primary religious
and secular festival that it has become in Western counties. Falling on
7th January, it is celebrated seriously by a church service that goes on
throughout the night, with people moving from one church to another.
Traditionally, young men played a game that is similar to hokey, called
genna, on this day and now Christmas has also come to be known by that
name. This celebration is unique to Lalibela and attracts many visitors.
TIMKET (FEAST OF EPIPHANY)
Timket, Feast of Epiphany, is the greatest festival of the year, falling on 19 January, less than two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. It is a three-day affair, beginning on the eve of Timket with dramatic and colourful processions. The following morning, the great day itself, Christ’s baptism in the Feast of St Michael, the archangel, one of Ethiopia’s most popular saints.
Enormous
effort is put into the occasion. Tej and tella (Ethiopian mead and
beer)are brewed, special bread is baked, and sheep are fattened for
slaughter. Gift are prepared for the children and new clothes purchased
or old clothes mended and laundered. Everyone- men, women and
children-appears resplendent for the three-day celebration.
On the eve of 18 January, ketera, the priests remove the tabotes from each church and bless the water of the pool or river where the next day’s celebration will take place. It is the tabot (symbolizing the Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten commandment)rather than the church building which is consecration and according extreme reverence. The feast is celebration throughout the country and the best places to observe this occasion are Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gondar.
Timket, Feast of Epiphany, is the greatest festival of the year, falling on 19 January, less than two weeks after the Ethiopian Christmas. It is a three-day affair, beginning on the eve of Timket with dramatic and colourful processions. The following morning, the great day itself, Christ’s baptism in the Feast of St Michael, the archangel, one of Ethiopia’s most popular saints.
Enormous
effort is put into the occasion. Tej and tella (Ethiopian mead and
beer)are brewed, special bread is baked, and sheep are fattened for
slaughter. Gift are prepared for the children and new clothes purchased
or old clothes mended and laundered. Everyone- men, women and
children-appears resplendent for the three-day celebration.On the eve of 18 January, ketera, the priests remove the tabotes from each church and bless the water of the pool or river where the next day’s celebration will take place. It is the tabot (symbolizing the Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten commandment)rather than the church building which is consecration and according extreme reverence. The feast is celebration throughout the country and the best places to observe this occasion are Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Gondar.
SHEIKH HUSSEIN
Lost
in the desert planes of Ethiopia’s Bale province lies the secrete of
Sheikh Hussein. Its glistening white domes float in a vast sea of
emerald green scrub. This remote shrine and its sacred compound house
the tomb of a Saint renowned for his miraculous powers. Although little
is known of Sheikh Hussein’s history, his shrine has become the site of
one of Ethiopia’s most extraordinary pilgrimages.
The faithful flock there twice a year from all over Ethiopia as from neighboring countries to visit this complex of mosques, shrines and tombs. The pilgrimage lasts several days. As the final prayers are offered and preparations are made for the long journey home, the pilgrims are spiritually enriched. Their journey has brought spiritual renewal and a welcome break from the harsh realities lives.
Lost
in the desert planes of Ethiopia’s Bale province lies the secrete of
Sheikh Hussein. Its glistening white domes float in a vast sea of
emerald green scrub. This remote shrine and its sacred compound house
the tomb of a Saint renowned for his miraculous powers. Although little
is known of Sheikh Hussein’s history, his shrine has become the site of
one of Ethiopia’s most extraordinary pilgrimages.The faithful flock there twice a year from all over Ethiopia as from neighboring countries to visit this complex of mosques, shrines and tombs. The pilgrimage lasts several days. As the final prayers are offered and preparations are made for the long journey home, the pilgrims are spiritually enriched. Their journey has brought spiritual renewal and a welcome break from the harsh realities lives.
NEGASH
Ethiopia has long enjoyed the most intimate relations Islam. When the early followers of prophet Mohammed were denied the right to pursue their religion by the Quraysh tribe, the mercantile rulers of Mecca, the prophet had to seek a safe hideout for his followers in order to maintain the survival of his religion.
The
then rule of Ethiopia, or Nejashi, granted asylum to the first
refugees, 11men and four wives, who entered his territory in 615. The
second Hijira (flight) consisted of 101 Muslims. The Quraysh are said to
have asked the Ethiopian ruler to hand over the exiles to them, but
this was strongly rejected. Among the refugees were the prophet’s
daughter Ruquyya, his future wives Umma Habiba and Umma Salama and his
cousin and leader of the religious exiles, Ja’afar Ibn Abu Talib. Many
of the Muslims stayed in the end were buried at the sacred village of
Negash, north of Wukro about 60 Kms from Mekelle, the capital of Tigray
Regional Start. The Negashi of the Habersham, as the king is known in
the Arab World, died in 630 and was also buried there.
Negash remains Ethiopia’s earliest and most holy Muslim centre, where there is a fine mosque, constructed recently. Many flock to Negash for pilgrimage once in a year during the 10th day of the month of Moharem. Muslims from different parts of Ethiopia and abroad attend this two day colourful festival.
Ethiopia has long enjoyed the most intimate relations Islam. When the early followers of prophet Mohammed were denied the right to pursue their religion by the Quraysh tribe, the mercantile rulers of Mecca, the prophet had to seek a safe hideout for his followers in order to maintain the survival of his religion.
The
then rule of Ethiopia, or Nejashi, granted asylum to the first
refugees, 11men and four wives, who entered his territory in 615. The
second Hijira (flight) consisted of 101 Muslims. The Quraysh are said to
have asked the Ethiopian ruler to hand over the exiles to them, but
this was strongly rejected. Among the refugees were the prophet’s
daughter Ruquyya, his future wives Umma Habiba and Umma Salama and his
cousin and leader of the religious exiles, Ja’afar Ibn Abu Talib. Many
of the Muslims stayed in the end were buried at the sacred village of
Negash, north of Wukro about 60 Kms from Mekelle, the capital of Tigray
Regional Start. The Negashi of the Habersham, as the king is known in
the Arab World, died in 630 and was also buried there.Negash remains Ethiopia’s earliest and most holy Muslim centre, where there is a fine mosque, constructed recently. Many flock to Negash for pilgrimage once in a year during the 10th day of the month of Moharem. Muslims from different parts of Ethiopia and abroad attend this two day colourful festival.
IDD-UL-FITR
Islamic
festivals have a special meaning fir Muslims of Ethiopia because of he
historical like. Ramadhan is one of the holiest periods in the Islamic
calendar. Life changes dramatically during Ramadhan. After breaking
their fast at sun-down, people stay awake until early hours, feasting,
visiting friends and praying. At dawn they eat the meal that will last
them until sunset. At the end of Ramadhan, the festival of Idd-ul-Fitr
is celebrated.
Islamic
festivals have a special meaning fir Muslims of Ethiopia because of he
historical like. Ramadhan is one of the holiest periods in the Islamic
calendar. Life changes dramatically during Ramadhan. After breaking
their fast at sun-down, people stay awake until early hours, feasting,
visiting friends and praying. At dawn they eat the meal that will last
them until sunset. At the end of Ramadhan, the festival of Idd-ul-Fitr
is celebrated.
IDD-UL-ADHA
The most important holy festival for the Muslims is Idd-Ul-Adh, the feast of the sacrifice- this occurs at the end of hajj on the tenth day of Zul hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic year. Sheep, goats or camels are sacrificed on this great occasion. The joyful crowds throng the mosque for prayers- the world is alive with happiness.
The most important holy festival for the Muslims is Idd-Ul-Adh, the feast of the sacrifice- this occurs at the end of hajj on the tenth day of Zul hijja, the twelfth month of the Islamic year. Sheep, goats or camels are sacrificed on this great occasion. The joyful crowds throng the mosque for prayers- the world is alive with happiness.
