Ethiopian Food Description

Ethiopia's Major Annual Festivals

Genna (Ethiopian Christmas):

Date: January 7th (one week after Gregorian Christmas).

Significance: Commemoration of Jesus Christ's birthday, following 43 days of fasting.

Traditions: Night-long Vigil, family holiday, and playing the hockey-like game Yegenna Chewata.

Best Venue: Lalibela (as it is also the birthday of St. King Lalibela).

Meskel (Finding of the True Cross):

Date: September (when mountains are green).

Significance: Commemorates Empress Helena's finding of the True Cross (UNESCO intangible heritage).

Traditions: Mass gathering centered on lighting a conical bonfire (Demera), religious chanting.

Best Venue: Addis Ababa, Adigrat, and Gondar for outdoor celebration.

Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany):

Date: January 19th.

Significance: Ethiopian Orthodox celebration of Jesus's baptism.

Traditions: Highly colorful and popular outdoor festival; the highlight is the re-enactment of the baptism.

Best Venue: Gondar, where festivities culminate at the 17
th
century Fasil's Pool.

Ethiopian Orthodox Girl's Festival (Ashenda/Shadey):

Date: Annually between August 16th – 26th (end of the Filesta fast).

Significance: A unique festival exclusively for young girls.

Traditions: Girls wear tall green grass (Ashenda) on their waist, gather, dance, sing, and beat special drums.

Location: All parts of Tigray and the northern Amhara region.