ETHIOPIAN CHRISTMAS (GENNA)

Ethiopian Christmas, known as "Genna" in Amharic, is one of the most significant religious celebrations in Ethiopia, observed on January 7th according to the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar. This sacred festival commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with great devotion, joy, and traditional customs that have been preserved for centuries by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and its faithful followers.

The celebration of Genna is preceded by a 40-day fasting period called "Tsome Nebiyat" (Fast of the Prophets), during which Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy products, and other animal-derived foods. This period of spiritual preparation culminates in the joyous celebration of Christmas, when families gather to break their fast with traditional feasts featuring special dishes like "doro wat" (spicy chicken stew) and "injera" (traditional flatbread).

The religious observance of Genna begins with elaborate church services that often start before dawn and continue throughout the day. Churches across Ethiopia are filled with worshippers dressed in traditional white clothing called "habesha kemis" and "netela" (white cotton shawls). The services feature ancient liturgical chants, colorful processions, and the reading of scriptures in Ge'ez, the classical Ethiopian language. Many churches hold special midnight masses that create a deeply spiritual atmosphere with candlelight and incense.

Beyond its religious significance, Genna is also associated with traditional games and cultural activities. The most famous is the traditional hockey-like game also called "genna," played with curved sticks and a wooden ball. According to legend, shepherds played this game when they received news of Christ's birth. Today, communities across Ethiopia continue this tradition, with young men and boys participating in spirited matches that bring neighborhoods together in celebration of this holy season.