We had a wonderful and VERY snowy Christmas. I will post some pictures in the next day or so.
But first I wanted to share what I have learned about how Christmas is celebrated in Ethiopia.
Because Ethiopia uses the old Julian calendar, Christmas takes place on January 7th. The Amharic word for Christmas is Ganna. (I have found it spelled both genna and ganna, not sure what is corect.) Ethiopians fast (eat nothing) on Christmas Eve. At dawn on the morning of Ganna the people dress in white. Most people wear the traditional shamma. That is a white,cotton, toga-like robe that has bright colored stripes across the bottom. In urban areas some people dress in white western clothing. Mass begins at 4AM!
Modern churches are built in three circles, each within the other. (Houses are often circular as well, made of mud-plastered walls and a cone-shaped thatched roof.) The choir sings in the outer circle. Everyone who goes to mass receives a candle. The people walk around the church solemnly three times, holding their candles. They then go to the second circle where they stand, men and boys separate from women and girls, during the service. The service will last up to four hours. The center circle of the church is considered the most holy place. It is reserved for the priests and is where holy communion is served.
It is believed that one of the wise men, King Balthazar, was an Ethiopian. He brought frankincense to baby Jesus.
After church, people return home to break their fast. The people will commonly eat injera (their sour dough flat bread made of teff flour), wat (a spicy stew that contains meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs), and ganna dabo (a Christmas bread). The meal itself is very festive. Many people give up meat for 40 days before Ganna - so eating a meaty stew is especially wonderful!
Gifts are not typical. However if children receive gifts, they are given clothing.
Christmas is a day for faith, family, feasting and games! Ethiopian men and boys gather to play a game that is much like field hockey. It is called ganna (yep same word they use for Christmas). The game is played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball. Competing villages have been known to play for several days and the rivalry can be fierce! According to tradition, the shepherds celebrated when they heard of Jesus' birth by playing a similar game. The picture at the top of this post is of the game ganna being played.
I hope you found that is interesting as I did. Malkam Ganna! Merry Christmas in Amharic.
But first I wanted to share what I have learned about how Christmas is celebrated in Ethiopia.
Because Ethiopia uses the old Julian calendar, Christmas takes place on January 7th. The Amharic word for Christmas is Ganna. (I have found it spelled both genna and ganna, not sure what is corect.) Ethiopians fast (eat nothing) on Christmas Eve. At dawn on the morning of Ganna the people dress in white. Most people wear the traditional shamma. That is a white,cotton, toga-like robe that has bright colored stripes across the bottom. In urban areas some people dress in white western clothing. Mass begins at 4AM!
Modern churches are built in three circles, each within the other. (Houses are often circular as well, made of mud-plastered walls and a cone-shaped thatched roof.) The choir sings in the outer circle. Everyone who goes to mass receives a candle. The people walk around the church solemnly three times, holding their candles. They then go to the second circle where they stand, men and boys separate from women and girls, during the service. The service will last up to four hours. The center circle of the church is considered the most holy place. It is reserved for the priests and is where holy communion is served.
It is believed that one of the wise men, King Balthazar, was an Ethiopian. He brought frankincense to baby Jesus.
After church, people return home to break their fast. The people will commonly eat injera (their sour dough flat bread made of teff flour), wat (a spicy stew that contains meat, vegetables, and sometimes eggs), and ganna dabo (a Christmas bread). The meal itself is very festive. Many people give up meat for 40 days before Ganna - so eating a meaty stew is especially wonderful!
Gifts are not typical. However if children receive gifts, they are given clothing.
Christmas is a day for faith, family, feasting and games! Ethiopian men and boys gather to play a game that is much like field hockey. It is called ganna (yep same word they use for Christmas). The game is played with a curved stick and a round wooden ball. Competing villages have been known to play for several days and the rivalry can be fierce! According to tradition, the shepherds celebrated when they heard of Jesus' birth by playing a similar game. The picture at the top of this post is of the game ganna being played.
I hope you found that is interesting as I did. Malkam Ganna! Merry Christmas in Amharic.
