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January 07, 2008
YE GANNA BAAL...Merry Christmas to Orthodox Christians
Ethiopians join Orthodox Christians all over the world to celebrate Christmas today, January 7th as this is the date it falls on, using the Orthodox "old" calendar. In Ethiopia where more than 80 languages are spoken and where the majority is Orthodox Christian, many cultural influences make Christmas traditions diverse. However there are constants like using the word Ganna interchangeably with the word Christmas to mean the birth of Christ. The holiday is commonly referred to as, "Ye Ganna Baal."
On the Ethiopian calendar, the current month is still December or Tahesas and the month of January or Tir, only starts when the western Gregorian calendar reaches January 10.
Traditional celebrations for Ganna include the setting up of manger scenes featuring the Three Wise Men. King Balthazar, is said to have been the wise man from Ethiopia who brought gifts of Frankincense.
Frankincense is therefore infused in the celebrations as well and the aroma is widely used through oils or incense.
Church services are of course plentiful and of last for 3 hours, with the singing of carols and carrying of candles included in the custom.
According to tradition, there are no Christmas trees or exchange of gifts, but modern influences see a few western decorations popping up in the capital of Addis Ababa. Children however sometimes get new outfits for the occasion.
The Christmas feast in Ethiopia includes a main course such as, doro wat or a spicy chicken stew, injera bread - which is flat and round as well as homemade wine or beer.
Children follow another tradition of playing ganna or leddat, which is a type of field hockey where players use sticks and balls made from local trees. This is in line with ancient Ethiopian tradition that says the shepherds celebrated the birth of Jesus by playing such a game.