ETHIOPIA: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

Christmas.  January 7.  According to Orthodox traditions aligned with the Julian calendar, Christmas is celebrated on January 7 instead of December 25. Many people will fast the day before and will wake up really early for the first Christmas Mass at 4 am! An old traditional story says that one of the three wise men came from Ethiopia. One of the traditional Christmas meals is wat (a spicy stew made with some kind of meat, vegetables, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs).  Gifts are not specifically given out on Christmas, although sometimes small gifts or clothes are given to children.  It’s generally a time spent in church followed by eating and drinking with family and playing games.

Mawlid.  Varies.  This is the Muslim holiday celebrating the birth of the prophet Muhammad.  It’s considered one of the most important celebrations for Muslims.  People will start the day with listening to the imam preach, and then will often sacrifice an animal (or buy meat) to distribute the meat to other family members and the poor.  There are a lot of festivities that include dancing, singing, and food. Because there are many multi-religious communities, many Muslims celebrate this day with their Christian neighbors as well, inviting them over to share traditional food and drink.

Epiphany.  January 19.  Also called Timkat, it celebrates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.  Traditionally, a reenactment of the baptism takes place every year; a model of the Ark of the Covenant is shrouded with a cloth and is carried in a procession on the priest’s head. The priest will then bless a body of water, and many followers use this time as a day to renew their baptismal vows.  The day doesn’t end until the Covenant is put away, and there are hours of singing and dancing, followed by a feast with traditional foods.

Victory at Adwa Day.  March 2. In 1896, the Italians were looking at moving into this area in order to claim it as their own. However, the Ethiopians were not having it.  After two days of fighting at Adwa, the Ethiopians, under the leadership of Emperor Menelik II, were able to hold off the Italians.  Many people visit the monument and statue of Menelik II to lay wreathes at the base.

Day of Lament.  March 28. This day commemorates those who have died during the Red Terror, and is held two months before National Day/Derg Downfall Day.  This day is also called Candle Festival.  The Red Terror was a particularly violent political movement that took place in Ethiopia (and Eritrea) during the later part of the 1970s and most of the 1980s led by Mengistu Haile Mariam.  They rounded up anyone suspected of resistance to tortured and/or kill them. Some estimates say that as many as 500,000 people died at the hands of these madmen.

Good Friday/Easter.  Varies.  The entire Lenten season is a hard fast, more or less a vegan diet (no meat or dairy).  The first meal of the day comes after 3pm. The night before Easter, people head to a colorful service that runs from about midnight until 2am.  Then people go home and break their fast with lavish meals.  Like Christmas, this is more of a holiday for visiting family and eating traditional foods and drink. 

Labour Day.  May 1.  This day is to celebrate the worker; it’s also a day to discuss the state of the economy, jobs, and labor issues. 

Patriot’s Day.  May 5.  This day is in honor of all Ethiopians who fought to defend their country against the Italians, especially during the occupation years.  It’s a time for traditional music, dance, food, and drink, as well as educational and historical presentations.

Derg Downfall Day (National Day).  May 28. It’s considered Ethiopia’s National Day, but officially, it’s known as Derg Downfall Day.  The Derg Regime took over in 1974 when they ousted Emperor Haile Selassie I and led the country into one long civil war that lasted until 1991.  Government leaders often give speeches regarding those who have died during the Red Terror, and people pay their respects and visit the several monuments erected around Addis Ababa and the rest of the country. 

Ramadan.  Varies.  Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting.  Muslims fast from dawn until dusk when they break their fast (called an iftar).  Each day, they are expected to read passages from the Quran and do various charitable works. 

Eid al-Fitr.  Varies.  This festival celebrates the end of Ramadan with an elaborate meal shared with the family.  People will cleanse themselves and wear new clothes to start this day.  Special thanksgiving prayers are also recited en masse as well. 

New Year’s Day.  September 11.  Normally, we see New Year’s celebrated in January, but according to the Ethiopian calendar, it falls in September (originally, the approximate end of the rainy season).  Some people will attend special religious services to pray for the coming year.  Children will sometimes receive new clothes, and the girls will pick flowers.

Finding of the True Cross.  September 27.  Also known as Meskel, which is Ge’ez for “cross.”  The Orthodox Church celebrates this holiday as a commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Helena (or Saint Helena) during the 4^th century.  The True Cross is the one believed to be the cross that Jesus was crucified on.  Tradition has it that she had a dream telling her to build a bonfire, and the smoke will guide her to where the cross is buried.  Every year, a bonfire is built with wood decorated with daisies, and the people use the ashes to draw a cross on their own foreheads.

Eid al-Adha.  Varies.  This holiday is in honor of the ancient story of Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his only son at God’s command. The day is started with Eid prayers, the largest gathering is at the Addis Ababa Stadium.  It’s often a day of paying it forward and giving charity to the needy. 

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ERITREA: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

New Year’s Day.  January 1. Eritrea celebrates the New Year like other countries with festivities, food, and drink.  Many Eritreans also slaughter a goat or pig as part of a sacrifice to God.  People stay up late to ring in the New Year, and many people in the larger cities watch the fireworks displays that are put on for the people. 

Orthodox Christmas.  January 7.  There’s a celebratory aura in the air during the week between New Year’s and Orthodox Christmas. Restaurants will sometimes have special menus and serve their specialties during this time.  Cities decorate for the occasion, and it’s a busy time for people to buy food, sweets, new clothes, and gifts.  The day before Christmas is the traditional time to slaughter an animal for the holiday, and Christians will also celebrate the holiday by attending a special Christmas mass.     

Epiphany.  January 19.  Epiphany is celebrated for the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as the human form of God the Son. This Timket religious holiday is celebrated with fervor across the country.  In the capital of Asmara, churches hold a nightlong prayer vigil attended by religious officials and ranking members of the government.  Water is sprinkled on the faithful who attend these special prayer services.  During these events, priests also sing hymns and holy dances are performed. 

Birth of the Prophet.  February 5.  Also known as Mawlid al-Nebiy or Mawlid al-Nabi, many schools and businesses close to allow Muslim families celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.  It’s a jovial celebration, complete with street festivals and good food and drink.  The singing of hymns is a tradition that occurs every year with Mawlid.

Fenkil Day.  February 10.  This holiday is in commemoration of Operation Fenkil (1990).  It primarily took place in the coastal city of Massawa, where the Eritreans launched a surprise attack against the Ethiopians and took over the city.  Even after the Eritreans took control of Massawa, the Ethiopians continued to aerial bomb the civilian sections of the city with napalm and cluster bombs.  The largest celebrations indubitably are celebrated in Massawa and include music, dance, street festivals, comedy skits, fashion shows, and a lot of good food and drink. 

Women’s Day.  March 8.  Also known as International Women’s Day, this holiday is celebrated all over the world on this day.  Eritrean women are forced into conscription (forced to participate in active duty military service) where they are discriminated against and often the subject of sexual abuse and harassment.  War and armed conflict have displaced families, leaving many women as the sole breadwinner and caretaker for their children and aging parents. 

Good Friday/Easter.  Varies.  Many people fast during the 56-day Lenten period (it’s a vegan fast: no animal products of any kind including meat, milk, butter, etc.) and will start their Good Friday off by going to church.  The afternoon is spent preparing for the end of their fast.  The main service starts on Saturday night with singing and some dancing. At midnight, a chicken is slaughtered for the occasion, and at 3 a.m., people will return home to eat and break their fast.  Easter, also called Fasika, is a day of celebration, filled with a lot of savory foods and often with a special brew from honey made locally. 

May Day.  May 1.  Also known as International Worker’s Day.  It’s a day to celebrate the worker and discuss labor issues.  Creating jobs and strengthening the economy is always on the forefront of Eritrean economic advisors’ and people’s agendas alike.  Work conditions, such as safety issues and workplaces discrimination, are also topics in roundtable discussions.  Activities vary across the country, but some organizations take part in reforestation events.  

Independence Day.  May 24.  One of the most important holidays of the year, this day celebrates Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia in 1991.  A 30-year war ensued between the two countries following Eritrea’s independence.  The day is filled with celebrations in the streets as well as formal celebrations in stadiums where various performances are held.  Celebrations are held throughout the diaspora: Germany, England, Sweden, the US, and others.  (I found out there’s an Eritrean Independence Day celebration in Indianapolis the evening before, but it’s $25/adult. Probably not gonna make it since it’s looking like a no-kid event.) 

Martyr’s Day.  June 20.  This holiday was enacted to commemorate those who have died in the three decades of war defending their country.  A forest and wildlife preserve was opened outside of Asmara called the National Martyr’s Park; many visitors come to this park on this day.  It’s also a time to visit the gravesites of loved ones who have passed away during the fight for independence. 

Eid al-Fitr.  Varies.  This holiday celebrated by Eritrea’s Muslims celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month-long fast.  To break the fast, families prepare a great feast to celebrate together after special prayer services are held at the local mosque. 

Start of the Armed Struggles.  September 1.  Start of the Armed Struggle goes back to the first shots fired in 1961, beginning the war to break away from Ethiopia.  Led by Idris Hamid Awate, those historical shots fired took place in the western region of the country at Mount Adal.  Government officials will often make speeches and a playing of the national anthem follows a moment of silence. 

Geez New Year.  September 11. It does seem odd to have a New Year’s celebration in September, but it’s because of a difference in calendars and a “leap month” of sorts that falls at this time.  One of the key traditions at this time is to take a bath.  (My kids are already not impressed.) But in Eritrean tradition and culture, taking a bath on this day washes the body of any bad vibes and ensured a healthy body for the year to come.  The girls will often play drums and sing songs for coins that they can use to buy jewelry and accessories to decorate themselves for the New Year celebrations.  Special New Year prayers are said and the evening ends with a bon fire. 

Finding of the True Cross.  September 27. Also called Meskel Holiday.  Tradition holds that Queen Helena (or Saint Helena) was the one who found the actual cross used in the crucifixion after having a dream that told her to make a bonfire and its smoke would guide her to it.  So, naturally bonfires are common practice on this day based on the story.  People also try to interpret their own symbols in the smoke and make predictions based on the direction the smoke is blowing.  

  

Eid ul-Adha.  Varies.  Also called Feast of the Sacrifice, this Muslim holiday is centered around the story of Abraham as he was preparing to sacrifice his only son to God but was stopped at the last minute.  It’s common for an animal to be slaughtered around this time, keeping part of the meat, giving part of the meat to family, and giving part to charity. 

Christmas Day.  December 25.  While the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7, other denominations celebrate Christmas on this day.  Eritreans start their shopping a few weeks before Christmas and decorate their homes and businesses.  Some families slaughter a goat or a sheep during the holiday season.  One of the largest traditions is that families get together and share meals together, complete with coffee (I’m certainly ok with that) and popcorn and panettone (an Italian sweet bread often served at Christmas; I think it’s good). Christmas morning is when everyone exchanges gifts and visits family. 

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