Holidays in Ethiopia

Ethiopia's motto is "13 months of the sun", and this statement is close to the truth, because this state lives on its own calendar. About 80 ethnic groups are registered here, which have unique traditions and customs . Activities in the country are celebrated with a special scope and for certain rituals.

Ethiopia's motto is "13 months of the sun", and this statement is close to the truth, because this state lives on its own calendar. About 80 ethnic groups are registered here, which have unique traditions and customs . Activities in the country are celebrated with a special scope and for certain rituals.

General information about the holidays in Ethiopia

This state is shrouded in mysticism and legends, it unites many dialects and languages, religions and religions. Very often tourists are interested in the question of when the New Year in Ethiopia and how their chronology here differs from the generally accepted one.

In the country this holiday is celebrated on September 11. The calendar lags behind the international one for 7 years, 8 months and 11 days. It was borrowed from the Copts in the early years of Christianity. This religion appeared in Ethiopia in the IV century.

Unusual in the country is the definition of time. Day here begins with the sunrise, and not at midnight, therefore, agreeing on a meeting with local residents, always specify the hours you need to navigate.

10 major holidays in Ethiopia

If to compare with other states, then in Ethiopia there are not so many holidays. Most events are related to Christianity and the history of the country. The most famous of them are:

  1. Mawlid al-Nabi - is celebrated on January 3. The celebration is dedicated to the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, but since it is not known exactly when he was born, the feast was timed to his death. The date of death for Muslims is the most important in a person's life. This event became meaningful 300 years after the founding of Islam.
  2. Christmas is celebrated on January 7. The ceremonial service is held both in the modern temples of the country , and in the old churches carved from volcanic rocks in the rock. Believers treat the shrines with special reverence and begin to be baptized several kilometers before the shrines.
  3. Timkat (Baptism) - Christians celebrate it for 2 days starting on January 19. This event is the main religious holiday in the country, when tourists can see the most ancient church tradition. The priests carry out a copy of the Ark of the Covenant (tabot) to the water and leave in a ceremonial tent for the night, believers at this time pray. This action symbolizes Jesus Christ entering the Jordan River. In the morning the pond is considered sacred, it is bathed, the sacred liquid is taken into the vessels and carried home. The ceremony ends with a long procession with local songs and ritual dances. The most large-scale processions are held in the cities of Gondar and Lalibela , as well as in the capital of the state, Addis Ababa .
  4. Victory Day - the indigenous people celebrate it on March 2. This state holiday is dedicated to the battle of Adua (Battle of Aduwa Day). After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the Red Sea coast began to interest Europeans. Not only merchants went there, but also invaders wishing to expand their lands. Ethiopia attracted the attention of Italy, which gradually captured the cities of the country (for example, Assab and Massawa in 1872 and 1885 respectively). Ten years after these events, a war broke out, resulting in the defeat of the colonialists, who recognized the independence of the African state.
  5. Labor Day - it is celebrated on May 1 for several centuries. Local authorities promote the joint work of Capital and Labor. The ideology of the celebration provides that this holiday is dedicated to all working people, regardless of their welfare and level of power. At the heart of the event is the expression of gratitude to every person for his help in labor for the benefit of society.
  6. Fasika (Easter) coincides with the Orthodox Bright Sunday. This is the most important Christian holiday in the country, which is celebrated exactly one week after Hosanna (Palm Sunday). Before this event, local residents hold a 55-day fast. They only eat vegetables once a day. On the eve of Easter the church service is held, it is necessary to come to it in colorful outfits with lighted candles in hands. In Fasika the whole family gathers together and celebrates exactly one week. The table is usually served with national dishes , for example, Durovot, which is a baked chicken, or a raw forcemeat.
  7. The day of the fall of the military regime - celebrated on May 28. It is dedicated to the events that occurred in 1974. At that time, an army was stationed in Asmara, the soldiers mutinied and began demanding that they be increased by cash benefits. They were joined by military units, students and workers from all regions of Ethiopia, whose goal was the resignation of the government. Although the emperor also made significant concessions to the insurgents, he was overthrown. In 1991, a national conference was held in the country, where it was decided that the government would be governed by a special council consisting of 87 representatives from 20 political parties.
  8. Enkutatash is the Ethiopian New Year, celebrated on September 11th. The Julian calendar here operates not only in the church, but also in everyday life. It is assumed that this feast was approved by the queen of Sheba, and its name is translated as the Day of offering jewels. Instead of a Christmas tree and garlands, local people kindle a large fire of spruce and eucalyptus in the main squares of cities, using a strong tree as the basis. In the capital, the length of such a fire can reach 6 m. Usually, everyone is eagerly waiting for him to flare up and look where the top will fall. This indicates the area in which the largest harvest will be. In Enkutatash aborigines sing, dance and set tables with traditional dishes.
  9. Meskel is a religious festival in Ethiopia, celebrated on the 27th of September (or the 28th in a leap year). The name of the event means "cross". According to the legend, on that day the mother of the Emperor of Byzantium Elena found in Jerusalem a Christian relic - the crucifixion on which Jesus Christ died. After that, she lit a landmark fire, and the flame rose so high in the sky that it was visible even in African countries. Aboriginal people hold this event especially. For example, in Addis Ababa, residents come to a square covered with yellow flowers, erect a cone-shaped structure, pray and observe the performances of Sunday school pupils, and also burn bonfires that symbolize the sun, heat and light.
  10. Kulubi Gabriel is Gabriel 's Day, which is celebrated on December 28th. This archangel is the most popular patron of the Christian Ethiopians. Believers visit the temple and thank the saint, ask him for help, perform the previously given vows and bring offerings (a variety of umbrellas and candles). Priests sell these gifts, but help the poor with the money they earn. On the day of Kulubi Gabriel, over 100 children undergo a baptismal ceremony, they receive the names corresponding to the holiday.