Holidays
The year is marked by religious feasts, family gatherings and national days. Many families keep the Ge'ez calendar alongside the everyday one.
New Yearቅዱስ ዮሃንስ
The Ge'ez calendar's year begins on 11 September (12 September before a leap year). Children often go door to door singing, and families share a meal.
Meskelመስቀል
On 27 September Orthodox Christians celebrate the finding of the True Cross. A large bonfire is lit in the evening and people gather around it with songs.
Christmasልደት
Orthodox Christmas falls on 7 January. It follows a period of fasting, and begins with church services before a family meal.
Timketጥምቀት
Epiphany, on 19 January, remembers the baptism of Jesus. Processions carry the tabot to water, which is blessed, and the day is full of singing.
Easterፋሲካ
Easter ends the long fast before it. After the night service, families break the fast together — often the biggest meal of the year.
Eid
Muslim Tigrinya-speaking families celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, with prayers, new clothes, visits and food shared with neighbours.
Words to know
- ልደትldetchristmasSynthetic voice
- ፋሲካfasikaeasterSynthetic voice
- ቤተክርስቲያንbetekrstiyanchurchSynthetic voice
- ህያብhyabgiftSynthetic voice
- ጸሎተይtseloteyprayerSynthetic voice