Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) — September 11
Enkutatash, which means ‘Gift of Jewels’ is the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year. Ethiopia follows it’s own calendar system, which consists of 13 months – 12 months each with 30 days and a final month with 5 days (6 days in a leap year), adopted from the Coptic Calendar. The Ethiopian Calendar is 7 years and 8 months behind the Gregorian Calendar, which is used throughout most of the western world. In 2007 (Gregorian Calendar), Ethiopia rang in the year 2000 and the new Ethiopian Millennium with colorful celebrations throughout the country. Enkutatash happens to come near the end of a long rainy season, coloring the green landscapes with bright yellow flowers (called the Meskel Flower, or Adei Abeba in Amharic) and giving great reason to celebrate the new harvest. Torches of dry wood are burned in front of houses on New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, girls dressed in new clothes go door–to–door singing songs. Families and friends celebrate together with large feasts. This day also happens to coincide with the saint’s day of St. John the Baptist. This religious ceremony can be seen at the Kostete Yohannes Church in the village of Gaynt, where celebrations are carried out for three days. Just outside of Addis, on the Entoto Mountain, Raguel Church has the largest religious celebration in the country.
Meskel — September 27
Meskel (finding of the True Cross), is the celebration of the finding of remnants of the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified. The word Meskel means ‘cross’ in Amharic. According to Christian tradition, St. Eleni (Empress Helena) discovered the hiding place of three crosses used at the crucifixion of Jesus. In her dream, Eleni was told she should make a bonfire; the direction of the smoke would tell her the exact location of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified. She followed the directions from her dream, and the smoke landed exactly where the cross was buried. Meskel celebrations begin the night before with large bonfires topped with a cross and decorated with Meskel Flowers. The bonfire preparations are blessed and burned while revelers sing and dance around the fire, locally called Demera. It is believed that the direction of the smoke will predict the future for the year to come. After the Demera has burnt out, the faithful mark crosses on their foreheads with the ash. The biggest Meskel celebration is in Addis Ababa, held in the centrally–located Meskel Square. Gondar, Aksum and Lalibela are also good locations to celebrate this festival. Probably the most exuberant celebrations take place in the region of the Gurage People, southwest from Addis.
Irrecha — September 28
Irrecha is one of the intangible cultural heritages of the Oromo people. Once a year the Oromo people celebrate the Irecha around Lake Hora near Debre Ziet. This takes place on the first Sunday after Maskal (September 28) and the ceremony centers on sacred trees, particularly around an ancient fig tree. Worshippers ask for favors, fertility, healthy and good fortune. In this celebration more than a million people attended from all over Ethiopia. The Irrech celebration is related to the worship and thanks giving practice of the Oromo’s to their God. Led by the prominent figure in the community, Abba Gadda, the participating communities carry bunches of lovely grasses and flowers in their hands to praise, bless and pray to God (Waqaa). The participating women dress cultural dresses and carry Siiqee (cultural women’s stick) and men dress in cultural suits and carrying Aroresaa (cultural men’s stick) heart fully sing the songs that glorify the power of God and the decoration of the season. Young people usually use the opportunity to select their girl mate and to exchange gifts.
Genna is Ethiopian Christmas, and coincides with other Orthodox Christmas celebrations around the world. The feast marks the end of the 40–day fasting period of Advent. On Christmas Eve, the faithful participate in church services through the night before celebrating with family and friends on Christmas day. Lalibela is the most popular place to celebrate Genna, as thousands of pilgrims flock to the holy city for this celebration.
The Ethiopian celebration of Timket (also known as Epiphany), is a symbolic reenactment of the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. For Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, it serves as a renewal of their baptismal vows. Timket is a two–day festival, starting the day before, when the church Tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant) is taken from the church to a nearby location, usually near a body of water. This is representative of Jesus’ coming to the river Jordan.
Fichee Chembelala — July 13
Is a two–day celebration dating back thousands of years, which the Sidama people observe to usher in New Year. The festivities took place at the Sidama Cultural Centre, with the usual flair and bang that accompanies this holiday. From the celebrations at the shores of Awassa to the elderly Ayantos who decide the date of the celebration, there is plenty to see and enjoy during this remarkable longstanding celebration. Fichee Chembelala is one of the main events on the calendar of Awassa city. A multitude of people are visible on the streets to celebrate the Fichee (Eve) and Chembelala (New Year) festivity of the Sidama people.
Ashenda — August 22 – 24
Ashandye or Ashenda, one of the great festivals which are unique for Lasta Lalibela and further north like Sekota and Tigray. It is known by Ashenda throughout Tigray, Shadey in Wag Hemra and by Solel in Raya Kobo. It is an event most yearned by girls. Young girls dressed in beautiful traditional outfits and in small groups, go from house to house singing and dancing. These lovely girls putting on their best apparel and personality celebrate the occasion continuously for three days.
Great Ethiopian Run
An event management company with the mission of staging mass–participation running events in Ethiopia, was started in 2001. In recent years its focus has been on taking mass–participation races to all corners of Ethiopia; developing capacity in the office and event teams which are staffed by Ethiopians; and working with sponsors on a range of publicity campaigns. Since its inception in 2001 Great Ethiopian Run has staged over 100 races in different parts of Ethiopia. NOTE: we will arrange you a tour program upon your request.
