Introduction
In Ethiopia Christmas is known as Gena or Lidet (birth) celebrated on January 7th GC because Ethiopia has a unique calendar which is also known as Ge’ez calendar that is ancient and unique from the commonly used Gregorian calendar. Based upon the ancient Coptic Calendar, the Ethiopian Calendar is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, owing to alternate calculations in determining the date of the annunciation of the birth of Jesus. The Ethiopian Calendar has 12 months of 30 days each, plus five or six additional days (sometimes known as the 13th month), called pagumé. This is decided based on whether it is a leap year. Leap year occurs once in every four years in G.C however in the Ethiopia calendar the leap year is more precisely calculated based on the timing of the annunciation rather than a simple four years cycle.
Celebration of Ethiopia Christmas is marked with various indoor and outdoor activities among friends, families and neighbors. Christmas is celebrated with vibrant tradition across the country, it is a festival filled with unique and diverse traditional activities that are basically based on religious rituals. Though Christmas is celebrated with Christians in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Orthodox church popularly and colorfully celebrates. The followers of this religion stays in fasting for 40 days until Christmas day, exemplified by Jesus’s fasting.
The Indoor Christmas Celebration
The outdoor Christmas celebration starts with attending church services. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church plays a significant role in the holidays with colorful ceremonies, chanting and traditional music. The eve of Christmas is marked by preparations of food and beverages for the celebration.
People often wear traditional Ethiopian clothing, such as the white traditional robes called shamma, during the Christmas celebrations. Homes and churches are adorned with festive decorations and colorful displays.
After returning from church gatherings with families and friends and neighbors, and enjoying traditional dishes such as doro wet (spicy chicken stew) and enjera (flat bread)are commonly enjoyed with the traditional dirks such as tela and tej is another big part of the Christmas celebration and also share special coffee ceremony.
The Outdoor Christmas Celebration
The outdoor Christmas celebration starts with attending church services. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church plays a significant role in the holidays with colorful ceremonies, chanting and traditional music.
Mostly in the afternoon the young boys gather and play a traditional Christmas game ‘ye gena cheweta’ a game similar to hokey where the elders become a judge and enjoy the afternoon together where the other people become attendant and cheers the players so this is one of the activities that brings the community together on the celebration. Children and youths have a special freedom on Christmas that there is no much control over their activities.
Festive dances and music performance are integral to celebrating Christmas-Gena. They are often accompanied by playing of traditional instruments such as Krar (a lvre) and the kebero (a Drum). Like in many cultures, gift-giving and acts of charity are meaningful parts of the Christmas festivities in Ethiopia. Families and friends exchange gifts, and there is a strong emphasis on giving to those in need. In some parts of the country, bonfires and candle lighting ceremonies are part of the Christmas Eve celebrations, adding a warm and glowing ambiance to the festivities.
Conclusion
Christmas activities bring family, friends and neighbors together to celebrate the holiday with communal joy and pride. Accompanied with prayer, it is a celebration in which people forgive, help, bless and visit each other. For Ethiopia it is a time for sharing traditions, creating memories, and embracing the rich heritage of Ethiopian Christmas of 2016.