Ethiopian Festivals
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During
the first millennium B.C. and possibly even earlier, various Semitic-speaking
groups from Southwest Arabia began to cross the Red Sea and settle along the
coast and in the nearby highlands. These migrants brought with them their
Semitic speech (Sabaean and perhaps others) and script (Old Epigraphic South
Arabic) and monumental stone architecture. A fusion of the newcomers with the
indigenous inhabitants produced a culture known as pre-Aksumite. The factors
that motivated this settlement in the area are not known, but to judge from
subsequent history, commercial activity must have figured strongly.
Southwest
Arabia. Archaeological evidence indicates that by the beginning of the
Christian era this pre-Aksumite culture had developed western and eastern
regional variants. The former, which included the region of Aksum, was
probably the polity or series of polities that became the Aksumite state.
This
is an extremely colorful three-day festival commemorating the baptism of
Christ.The night before, priests take the Tabot (which symbolizes the Ark of
the Covenant) containing the Ten Commandments from each Church. Concealed by
an ornamental cloth, it is taken to a tent, close to a consecrated pool or
stream, accompanied by much ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets and the
burning of incense. In Addis Ababa many tents are pitched at Jan Meda, to the
northeast of the city centre. At 0200 there is a Mass, and crowds attend,
with picnics lit by oil lamps. At dawn the priest extinguishes a candle
burning on a pole set in a nearby river using a ceremonial cross. Some of the
congregation leaps into the river. The Tabots are then taken back to the
Churches in procession, accompanied by horsemen, while the festivities
continue.
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Buhe-21 August
Bands of small boys call at
each house, singing and jostling until they are given some fresh dough (buhe)
that is being prepared for baking. In the evening, bonfires are lit outside
each home.
Enkutatash -New Year, 11
September
This festival celebrates both the New Year and the Feast of John the Baptist at the end of the long rains in spring, when the Highlands become covered in wild flowers. Children dressed in new clothes dance through the villages, distributing garlands and tiny paintings. In the evening every house lights a bonfire and there is singing and dancing.
This festival celebrates both the New Year and the Feast of John the Baptist at the end of the long rains in spring, when the Highlands become covered in wild flowers. Children dressed in new clothes dance through the villages, distributing garlands and tiny paintings. In the evening every house lights a bonfire and there is singing and dancing.
Maskal- Finding of the True
Cross, 27 September
Legend has it that the cross upon which Christ was crucified was discovered in the year 326 by Empress Helen, Mother of Constantine the Great. Unable to find the Holy Sepulchre, she prayed for help and was directed by the smoke of an incense burner to where the cross was buried.
In the middle Ages, the Patriarch of Alexandria gave the Ethiopian Emperor Dawit half of the True Cross in return for the protection afforded to the Coptic Christians A fragment of the T rue Cross is reputed to be held at the Gishen Marien monastery which is about 70 kilometres to the northwest of Dessie.
On the day of the festival, bright yellow Maskal daisies are tied to fronds, and piled high in town squares. Colorful processions carrying bumming torches converge on to the square, where a pyre is lit and the celebrations continue until dawn. In Addis Ababa, the celebrations take place in Maskal Square, to the southeast of the City centre.
Legend has it that the cross upon which Christ was crucified was discovered in the year 326 by Empress Helen, Mother of Constantine the Great. Unable to find the Holy Sepulchre, she prayed for help and was directed by the smoke of an incense burner to where the cross was buried.
In the middle Ages, the Patriarch of Alexandria gave the Ethiopian Emperor Dawit half of the True Cross in return for the protection afforded to the Coptic Christians A fragment of the T rue Cross is reputed to be held at the Gishen Marien monastery which is about 70 kilometres to the northwest of Dessie.
On the day of the festival, bright yellow Maskal daisies are tied to fronds, and piled high in town squares. Colorful processions carrying bumming torches converge on to the square, where a pyre is lit and the celebrations continue until dawn. In Addis Ababa, the celebrations take place in Maskal Square, to the southeast of the City centre.
Kullubi-
Feast of St Gabriel, 28 December
St Gabriel is the Patron Saint who guards over homes and churches. There is a huge pilgrimage to St Gabriel's Church on Kulubi hill, which is on the route from Addis Ababa eastwards, about 70 kilometres before Dire Dawa. Many pilgrims carry heavy burdens as penance, children are brought to be baptized, and offerings are made to be distributed to the poor.
St Gabriel is the Patron Saint who guards over homes and churches. There is a huge pilgrimage to St Gabriel's Church on Kulubi hill, which is on the route from Addis Ababa eastwards, about 70 kilometres before Dire Dawa. Many pilgrims carry heavy burdens as penance, children are brought to be baptized, and offerings are made to be distributed to the poor.
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