Festivals In Ethiopia
Timket ( Ethiopian Epiphany)
This is Ethiopian ‘s most celebrated festival. It falls on 19th January and is easier for visitors to witness and enjoy. The holy Tabot , the replica of the Covenant.
Is removed from each Orthodox Church around the country the day before the celebration and taken to central area where the ceremony will take place.
The following morning, the church officials assemble around the Tabot and sprinkle holy water over all the faithful present and receive the renewals of their vows. After this is done. The congregation follow the Bishops , elder and clergy as the Tabot is carried back to the church from where it came. There are so much traditional dances by various groups who are accompanying the Holy Tabot.
Meskel ( the finding of the True Cross)
One important festivals is meskel which falls on September 27th and celebrates the finding of True Cross by St.Hilena the wife of Constantine the great. Vast bonfire are lit country wide the night before the celebration, and on the itself, there are dances and feasts for every body present.
Ashenda
This is the most attractive national custom which falls from August 21to 23 every year. Girls all go round singing and dancing and surround every man until he gives them some money. Even a little money can get you off the hook. Particularly, ashenda is the culture of Tigray and sekota people. Girls of these areas wear beautiful white cotton dresses with blue embroidered flowers and play drums and sing to passerby for contributions.
Irrecha
This festivity is celebrated on Sunday that comes following meskel. Irecha name, according to oromo’s thanks giving day to their waqa or God. At national level, it is celebrated in Bishftu town in Oromyia region in Lake HORA ARSEDI. On the festival community ledgers and Aba Gadas address thanks to WAQA for the blessed transition from the rainy season which is normally considered as dark to the bright and colorful season autumn ( Birra) on the day different cultural dressing give a very majestic to environment and hence worth visiting.