Celebrate Christmas in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is regarded as one of Africa’s oldest nations. Since Julian calendar is followed in Ethiopia, Christmas in Ethiopia is celebrated on 7th January every year and is called as Ganna. In Ethiopia, Christmas is celebrated in modern churches that are designed in the form of three concentric circles as well as in ancient churches which are built from solid volcanic rocks. There are separate sitting arrangements for men and boys and for women and girls. So if you are planning to visit Ethiopia during Christmas, then have a look at some of the Christmas traditions that are followed even today.

Christmas in Ethiopia – Tradition

Christmas is the wonderful time of the year when friends as well as family members get an opportunity to spend some memorable time together. As far as Christmas in Ethiopia is concerned, people celebrate it with great pomp and show. Candles are given to people at the time of entering the church. After these candles are lit, people walk with the lighted candle in their hand thrice around the church.

The food that is usually served during Christmas in Ethiopia includes Injera which is a pancake made of sour dough and is similar to bread, and Doro Wat, which is a spicy stew made of chicken.

As far as exchanging gifts is concerned during Christmas, it is regarded as a very minute part of the entire celebration of Christmas. Christmas in Ethiopia is mainly focused on religious observances, games and feasting instead of exchanging gifts. In most of the cases, children receive some simple gifts, like for instance clothing.

On 6th January, i.e. on the day prior to Ganna, people usually spend the entire day fasting and on the next morning, they wake up very early and at dawn, people usually dress themselves up in shamma, which is a kind of white colored cotton wrap and contain stripes of bright colors across the ends. Thereafter, people go to church in order to take part in the early mass.

As part of Christmas in Ethiopia, boys as well as men play a game similar to hockey with the help of a curved stick and a wooden ball. Like Christmas in Ethiopia, this game is also called as Ganna. Another sport which is enjoyed by the men in Ethiopia is called as yeferas guks which involves throwing of ceremonial lances at each other by the participants.

After the celebration of Christmas is over on January 7th, a three-day long celebration is organized in Ethiopia on January 19th. This festival is called as Timkat. This festival is meant for celebrating the baptism of Christ.

So if you are still pondering about which place to visit during Christmas, then Ethiopia can be an ideal destination for you. Visit this place with your family during Christmas and make your Christmas a lifetime memorable event.