Language/Amharic/Culture/Ethiopian-Holidays-and-Festivals
Introduction
Ethiopia is a country that proudly celebrates many unique holidays and festivals throughout the year. These events are deeply rooted in the country's rich history and culture, and they represent a great opportunity to discover the traditions and customs of Ethiopian people. In this lesson, you will learn about some of the most important holidays and festivals celebrated in Ethiopia, including their origins, meanings, and customs. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of Ethiopian culture and traditions.
Ethiopian Holidays and Festivals
Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash)
Ethiopian New Year, also known as Enkutatash, is celebrated on September 11th every year, and it marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest season. According to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, the holiday commemorates the return of the Queen of Sheba from her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, where she had brought him gifts of spices, gold, and precious stones. Upon her return to Ethiopia, she was greeted with yellow flowers (adey abeba in Amharic), which inspired the name of the holiday.
On Enkutatash, families and friends gather to share meals and exchange gifts. Young children often receive small trinkets or coins, and traditional songs and dances are performed. One of the most important customs of the holiday is the burning of meskel flowers, a yellow daisy-like flower that grows in abundance in Ethiopia, to symbolize the coming of the new season.
| Amharic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Enkutatash | ɨnk'utat'ash | Ethiopian New Year |
Meskel
Meskel, or the Feast of the True Cross, is celebrated on September 27th, two weeks after Enkutatash. The holiday marks the discovery of the True Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified, and its origins can be traced back to the 4th century AD. According to legend, Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, had a dream in which she was told to search for the True Cross in Jerusalem. After excavations uncovered three crosses, Saint Helena presented them to the people of Jerusalem, who were asked to identify which one belonged to Jesus. They found the True Cross by holding each cross against a sick woman, who was miraculously cured when she touched the True Cross.
In Ethiopia, Meskel is celebrated with a large bonfire that is lit in every town and village. The fire is made of wood and meskel flowers, and it is surrounded by a group of people dressed in traditional white clothes who sing and dance around the flame. The bonfire symbolizes the smoke that appeared to Saint Helena in her dream, and the direction of the flame is said to indicate the direction of the True Cross.
| Amharic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Meskel | mes'k'el | Feast of the True Cross |
Timkat
Timkat is a religious festival celebrated on January 19th or 20th and it commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The holiday is especially important for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and it is celebrated over three days. On the first day, priests carry replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, which contains the tablets of the Ten Commandments, from their churches to a nearby stream or river. After a special blessing, the water is splashed onto the participants to represent the baptism of Jesus Christ.
The second day of Timkat is known as the Feast of the Epiphany, and it includes a reenactment of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. Priests bless the water, and the participants immerse themselves in the river or splash themselves with the blessed water. The third and final day is a time for rest and reflection, and it is marked by feasting and socializing with friends and family.
| Amharic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Timkat | timkat | Epiphany |
Ethiopian Christmas (Gena)
Ethiopian Christmas, known as Gena, is celebrated on January 7th and it represents one of the most important religious holidays in Ethiopia. According to Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, the holiday commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, and it is celebrated with various religious rituals and customs.
On the evening of Gena, families go to church to attend a special mass, which is followed by a feast that includes traditional foods such as injera (a sourdough flatbread), doro wat (a spicy chicken stew), and tibs (grilled meat). During the feast, young children often sing Christmas carols and perform traditional dances, and they receive small gifts and treats from their elders.
| Amharic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Gena | g'ena | Ethiopian Christmas |
Ethiopian Epiphany (Timkat)
Ethiopian Epiphany, also known as Timkat, is celebrated on January 19th or 20th every year, and it represents the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The holiday is deeply rooted in Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, and it is marked by various religious and cultural rituals.
On the morning of Timkat, priests and church officials dressed in colorful robes and carrying umbrellas and ceremonial crosses walk to a nearby stream or river. They are followed by thousands of participants who sing, dance, and play traditional instruments. After a special blessing, the water is splashed onto the participants to represent the baptism of Jesus Christ.
After the baptism ceremony, the participants return to their homes to feast and socialize with friends and family. The holiday is a time of joy and celebration, and it offers a great opportunity to experience the rich traditions and customs of Ethiopian people.
| Amharic | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Timkat | timkat | Epiphany |
Conclusion
Ethiopia is a nation that celebrates a rich and diverse array of holidays and festivals throughout the year, each with its own unique history and customs. From Enkutatash to Timkat, these events represent a great opportunity to discover the traditions and culture of Ethiopian people. By studying them, you will gain a deeper appreciation of the rich and diverse heritage of Ethiopia, and you will be better prepared to communicate with Ethiopians in their own language.