Best Holidays to Visit Ethiopia
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| Adwa celebration in Addis Ababa |
Many holidays have a religious or spiritual meaning behind them but others are cultural or historical in nature. A historical and one of the most important national holidays of Ethiopia is, Adwa Victory Day. On this day, many Ethiopians celebrate victory against the Italian invaders on March 1st,1896.
What is Meskel? This holiday is one of the most important in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar as it celebrates the "Finding of the True Cross" by Roman Empress Helena in the fourth century.
When and where should we celebrate? Meskel is usually held September 27th (Gregorian calendar), just 2 weeks after Enkututash(New Year's). This holiday is best celebrated in the Gurage region of Ethiopia for a more intimate experience or in the appropriately named Meskel Square of Addis Ababa.
How do Ethiopians celebrate? The centerpiece of any Meskel celebration no matter where you celebrate, there will be a bonfire lit. At Meskel Square you can expect to see the roads closed off, so that Orthodox devotee processions can file through chanting, singing, while playing drums. Typically thousands if not tens of thousands of attendees arrive in Meskel Square to witness the scene, lighting candles and watching the bonfire lighting ceremony.
When and where should we celebrate? Lalibela is the best place to celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia. January 7th is the actual date of Genna, but the celebrations start on January 5th and continue through January 7th. Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated with particular pomp in Lalibela as King Lalibela shares a birthday with Jesus Christ.
Just a few weeks after Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas is Epiphany also called Timket/Timkat.
What is Timket? This celebration commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
When and where should we celebrate? Gondar, Ethiopia is the place to be for Timket, as it is celebrated with special pomp here. Lalibela is also a popular destination where Timkat holiday can usually be celebrated on January 19th (Gregorian Calendar)
Towards the end of the rainy season and a few weeks before the general Ethiopian New Year called Enkutatash, we have Ashenda (Tigray region, Ethiopia), also called Ashendaye (Lalibela, Ethiopia) or Shadey (Sekota, Ethiopia).
What is Ashenda? This is the biggest women's festival in Ethiopia and it celebrates girls and young womenhood. It is almost exclusively celebrated by Orthodox Christians in Northern Ethiopia. This festive season begins at the end of the Filseta fast. For Ashenda Festival, girls attend community events where they socialize, drum, dance in new clothes.
When and where should we celebrate? Ashendaye can be enjoyed in three parts of Northern Ethiopia. The best options to experience this celebration will be in Mekelle in Tigray or Sekota close to the Amhara Tigray border or in Lalibela, Ethiopia. Typically Ashenda is held in late August.
How do Ethiopians celebrate? During Ashenda, girls and young women typically braid their hair in 'Shroba' style and wear new traditional dresses with tall grasses, from which the celebration takes its name, attached around their waists. The day will start with girl lead troupes going to pray at local churches. After they have prayed and sung in the church, these troupes will go out into their neighborhoods, where they sing and dance for their neighbors. The community will typically reward the troupe with a small amount of money. At the end of Ashenda week, the girls use the money collected to have a get together where they invite their elders.
How can you visit Ethiopia during a holiday?
Contact Travel Africa Tours your preferred Ethiopia tour operator by email, once you've decided for which holiday you want to visit Ethiopia.
When you consider there are over 80 tribes with different cultural and historic celebrations, you see why the Ethiopian calendar is so full. But some Ethiopian holidays are better suited for international guests, than others. To be in Ethiopia for any of these four holidays is to experience eclectic beauty, authentic culture and energy.
Here we list, some holidays celebrated in Ethiopia, we think you shouldn't miss:
The first Ethiopian holiday of the year is Meskel (Demera).
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| Meskel Square bonfire in Addis Ababa |
When and where should we celebrate? Meskel is usually held September 27th (Gregorian calendar), just 2 weeks after Enkututash(New Year's). This holiday is best celebrated in the Gurage region of Ethiopia for a more intimate experience or in the appropriately named Meskel Square of Addis Ababa.
How do Ethiopians celebrate? The centerpiece of any Meskel celebration no matter where you celebrate, there will be a bonfire lit. At Meskel Square you can expect to see the roads closed off, so that Orthodox devotee processions can file through chanting, singing, while playing drums. Typically thousands if not tens of thousands of attendees arrive in Meskel Square to witness the scene, lighting candles and watching the bonfire lighting ceremony.
The next Ethiopian holiday you should not miss is, Genna also called Lidet.
What is Genna? This is Ethiopian Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but you will not find any gifts or Santa Claus here.
When and where should we celebrate? Lalibela is the best place to celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia. January 7th is the actual date of Genna, but the celebrations start on January 5th and continue through January 7th. Ethiopian Christmas is celebrated with particular pomp in Lalibela as King Lalibela shares a birthday with Jesus Christ.
How do Ethiopians celebrate? Many wealthy Ethiopians will travel to Jerusalem for yearly pilgrimage around Christmas time. The less well-heeled but equally devoted Ethiopian pilgrims will flock to Lalibela from all parts of Ethiopia. Tens of thousands of local pilgrims come on foot and by transportation to Lalibela in time for Genna. The three days are filled with processions of church deacons and priests dressed in their holiday best, while praying, and chanting (also known as Mezmur) along the walls of the rock hewn churches of Lalibela.
Just a few weeks after Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas is Epiphany also called Timket/Timkat.
What is Timket? This celebration commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
When and where should we celebrate? Gondar, Ethiopia is the place to be for Timket, as it is celebrated with special pomp here. Lalibela is also a popular destination where Timkat holiday can usually be celebrated on January 19th (Gregorian Calendar)
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| Timket celebration in Lalibela |
How do Ethiopians celebrate? As with many religious festivals in Ethiopia, Timket begins on the eve of the holiday. All of the tabots (replica of the ark of the covenant) are taken by priests to the celebration site. Thereafter collective groups of Orthodox youth, and elders will head to the designated celebration site where many will stay and pray overnight. The following morning Ethiopian Orthodox Christian followers are baptised in special religious pools. People will sing, drum, pray in their new fine clothes.
Towards the end of the rainy season and a few weeks before the general Ethiopian New Year called Enkutatash, we have Ashenda (Tigray region, Ethiopia), also called Ashendaye (Lalibela, Ethiopia) or Shadey (Sekota, Ethiopia).
What is Ashenda? This is the biggest women's festival in Ethiopia and it celebrates girls and young womenhood. It is almost exclusively celebrated by Orthodox Christians in Northern Ethiopia. This festive season begins at the end of the Filseta fast. For Ashenda Festival, girls attend community events where they socialize, drum, dance in new clothes.
When and where should we celebrate? Ashendaye can be enjoyed in three parts of Northern Ethiopia. The best options to experience this celebration will be in Mekelle in Tigray or Sekota close to the Amhara Tigray border or in Lalibela, Ethiopia. Typically Ashenda is held in late August.
How do Ethiopians celebrate? During Ashenda, girls and young women typically braid their hair in 'Shroba' style and wear new traditional dresses with tall grasses, from which the celebration takes its name, attached around their waists. The day will start with girl lead troupes going to pray at local churches. After they have prayed and sung in the church, these troupes will go out into their neighborhoods, where they sing and dance for their neighbors. The community will typically reward the troupe with a small amount of money. At the end of Ashenda week, the girls use the money collected to have a get together where they invite their elders.
How can you visit Ethiopia during a holiday?
Contact Travel Africa Tours your preferred Ethiopia tour operator by email, once you've decided for which holiday you want to visit Ethiopia.
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